The Sword of Truth

“My kind doesn’t tire very easily,” Lee replied.

“Yes, I forgot,” Ertik said thoughtfully. “It must be quite a burden.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Such strength and power breeds jealousy. Hiding who one is all the time can’t be easy.”

“It can be tiresome,” Lee admitted. “But I have Millet. He’s been with me a long time, and he shares my secret. It makes it easier to have someone like him with me.”

“He sounds like a good friend. Where is he now?”

“On his way to Hazrah to take my wife and child out of the city,” Lee answered. “With the Dark Knight on the move, I couldn’t risk leaving them so close to his borders.”

“Hazrah?” Ertik repeated, suddenly looking troubled. “How long ago did he leave?”

“More than a week now. He should be there in about two more weeks. Why? Do you know something?”

“I got word that Angraal now has dominion in Hazrah. Whether the city was sacked or they surrendered, I don’t know-but your friend is walking straight into the heart of the Dark Knight’s power.”

Lee closed his eyes tight, trying to still his mind. “Can you send word to Hazrah?” asked Lee. His voice was unsteady. “Do you have a messenger flock that travels there?”

“I’m sorry,” Ertik replied regretfully, “your friend will arrive well ahead of any message I could send. Still, I will try.”

“Thank you. I need to have Lady Nal’Thain and her son evacuated from Hazrah, and taken to the city of Dantory. It’s a small oasis in the eastern desert. Tell them to mention Millet if she questions the truth of the message. I will pay anything it costs, ten times over, if they are brought safely there.”

“Payment is not necessary,” Ertik assured him. “I will send the message now. There are no messenger flocks between here and there, so the message will have to be carried much of the way by members of the order. Still, I shall see to it at once.” Ertik got up and hurried away.

Lee sat there, holding his head in his hands, as Kaylia and Dina entered.

“What’s wrong?” Kaylia asked as she took a seat next to Lee. Dina followed close behind.

Lee told them what Ertik had said.

“Millet will get them out,” Dina said, confident. “I know he will.”

“I hope you’re right,” he replied.

“Millet is wise and capable,” Kaylia added. “Much more than any other human I’ve met thus far. If there is an army guarding their door, he will find a way to get past them.”

“You’re right, of course,” he agreed. “It’s just the feeling of helplessness I can’t stand.”

“Believe me, I understand,” said Kaylia. Lee looked at her and nodded knowingly.

After an hour, Ertik returned. “I sent your message. I also sent word to Dantory to be on the lookout for them.”

“I’m in your debt,” Lee said graciously.

“Not at all,” Ertik replied. “You have done us quite a service.”

”There’s something else you should know,” Lee said. “I believe I have the Book of Souls in my possession.”

Ertik froze. “Where is it?”

“In my room. I was hoping someone here would know what to do with it.”

“Are you sure that’s what it is?” he asked.

“Not completely,” Lee answered. “But from what we’ve learned, we’re as certain as we can be.”

Ertik clapped his hands. “That is news. We must tell the High Lady when she is finished with your friend. She will be overjoyed.”

“If she can heal Gewey, she can have it,” said Lee.

'It will be some time before we know if he will heal,' said a voice from the doorway. It was Wileminia. They all stood up.

“What’s happening?” Kaylia asked anxiously. “Will he live?”

Wileminia sighed heavily. “He has been struck by the power of the Sword of Truth. If it had been the Sword itself, it would have destroyed him; thankfully, it was not. We have removed the energy that prevented his body from healing, but it has left him near death. He may not recover.”

“He’s a God,” Kaylia cried. “He will not die.”

Wileminia stared at Kaylia for a moment. “God or no, he is in mortal form. But he is strong-stronger than any I’ve seen. Now that the bite of the Sword’s power has been removed, his body may heal on its own. But I’m more concerned with his spirit.”

“What do you mean?” Lee asked.

“His spirit wanders,” she answered. “And it has not found its way back.”

“Can’t you help him?” Kaylia asked desperately.

“We are trying,” Wileminia assured her. “But if he’s a God as you say, it explains our inability to reach him. His spirit would be different from our own, and we have no way to call out to him. Even if we did, we wouldn’t know how to guide him back. The places he goes, we have never been.”

“I can find him,” Kaylia said firmly.

“I know you think that,” she said softly. “And I know as an elf you have tremendous strength of spirit; it’s a wonderful trait of your kind. But he is not an elf. It seems his spirit travels in realms where mortals cannot go.”

“My spirit is bound to his,” she contended. “Even now I feel him. If he needs a guide, then I am the only one.”

“She speaks the truth,” Lee affirmed. “They were bound together by words in the ancient language. I have no doubt she is his only hope.”

Wileminia thought for a moment. “Come with me, then. I will take you to him. You may sit next to him and reach out as you can.”

Kaylia nodded and followed her to the healing chamber.

Ertik stretched his arms and yawned. “I need rest,” he said reluctantly. “I hate sleeping before nightfall, but I think tonight I’ll manage to sleep until dawn.” He slowly rose, grunting with each movement, and walked out.

As Ertik made his exit, a young girl entered. “Lord Starfinder?” she asked. “The High Lady would like to speak with you before you retire.”

Lee looked to Dina.

“I’ll be fine,” Dina told him. “I think I’ll walk around for a bit and maybe get something to eat.”

Lee nodded and followed the young girl out of the room and down the hallway. Lee was amazed by the sheer size of the place. He remembered Ertik saying there were about a hundred people here, but from the look of it, five times that number could live comfortably. They passed at least three dining halls and several libraries as they walked, in addition to recreation and training areas. Most of the walls were bare, aside from several elaborate tapestries and etchings near the libraries.

At the end of a long hall, the girl stopped in front of a plain wooden door. “Please go right in. She’s waiting.”

Lee thanked the girl and opened the door. Inside he saw a small study with a nicely carved wooden desk with papers scattered about it. There were a few shelves and cabinets along the wall, and brass lanterns hung in the corners; all in all, there was almost nothing to indicate that this was the office of a leader of one of the most ancient orders in existence.

The chair at the desk was facing away from the door, but Lee could tell someone was there.

“High Lady,” Lee said. “You asked to speak to me.” There was a long pause.

“I’ve wondered what I would say to you when the time came,” said the High Lady, still facing the wall. Her voice sounded strangely familiar. “Now that you’re here…I just don’t know.”

Lee was both puzzled and troubled by the High Lady’s words. Trying not to let his confusion show in his voice, he said, “I would like to thank you for what you are doing for Gewey, and for the rest of us. I am deeply grateful.”

“Are you?” she asked. “I wouldn’t be so quick to give me your gratitude.”

The High Lady then stood and faced Lee. He staggered back in shock. She was older and grayed, but there was no mistaking her.