Just then, he remembered that he had not told Alma about Gretta giving him the necklace. He hoped Alma had not already given over the Rod to the Lady of the Lake.
Ing rushed over to the door and headed through it to find the witch waiting for him. Alma was there as well, lying slumped on the ground beside the witch.
Chapter 16: The Lady of the Lake
“What have you done to her?” screamed Ing. His companion was dead. What could have possibly happened? He had heard from his Uncle Erste that the Lady of the Lake was merciless, but he didn’t believe she would take someone’s life.
Why hadn’t he remembered to tell Alma about the necklace he had gotten? And where was Bolsee’s Rod? Was it still inside Alma’s quiver? Had she decided that she couldn’t give it over to this witch?
“She had nothing to offer me,” replied the Lady of the Lake with a small giggle. She stood inside a thin ray of light shining through a crack up above. Everywhere else, the chamber was rather dim, but not too dark for one to be unable to see properly. Lilies lay scattered about, jutting through the hard concrete floor.
The witch was lovelier than Ing had imagined. The woman looked like she was not a day over twenty. Her skin was so soft and rather pale, with not a blemish in sight. Long voluminous dark hair curled around either shoulder. Two clear slippers covered her feet. A fine silk robe of pure white accentuated the curves of her body, adding to her appeal. Soft blue light came forth from those eyes of hers. She had the sweetest face, the face of an angel, not at all the menacing woman he had pictured. The whole while, she stood there, looking upon Ing with her innocent gaze, tittering back and forth; with one hand she stroked her hair and he felt a feeling of passion awaken inside him.
Ing ran over to Alma and clutched her hand. Tears were rolling down his eyes. It was like his mother dying all over again. He felt her wrist for a pulse and felt nothing.
“Alma,” he said softly in her ear. “Can you hear my voice? Don’t die on me now. We’re gonna make it out of here together.”
He pulled out his sword out and thought of killing the witch. But then he remembered his immense attraction to her, her sweet face of sunshine and sheathed his sword.
Ing tried to calm down and remember his purpose for coming here. He wiped the tears from his eyes and brought himself to speak.
“My name is Ing Roan,” he said, rising off the ground, his voice shaky, “son of Selenia Roan. I have come here to the Lake of Promises to speak with you.”
“What is your offer?” asked the Lady of the Lake. That smile was going to be the death of him.
“This,” said Ing, reaching into his pocket swiftly and handing her the necklace given to him by Gretta. Its brilliance shone throughout the chamber.
“This will do,” replied the Lady of the Lake, grabbing it from the boy. “What do you wish to ask?” Her voice was heavenly and Ing felt that nothing existed outside of her presence.
“I wish to know how to find an item,” said Ing.
“The Sword of Erdwick? Many people have come to me before, but none searching for his sword. Most people seem to have forgotten such things in this age. People only come searching for money and power, to further their greed. But I can see inside you.”
So the Sword of Erdwick was the item that Gretta had spoken of, thought Ing.
“It lies with the mountain people of Dharma,” the Lady of the Lake continued. “They have kept it safe for many years. You’re a funny boy,” she said with another small giggle, reminiscent of a young girl in love.
“In Dharma,” said Ing his gaze upon the ground now. “I was just there and they made no mention of such a thing.” They surely would have mentioned it to me, wouldn’t they? he thought to himself. What reason could they have had not to?
“Don’t you think they would hide it from an outsider?” asked the witch. Ing supposed she was right. And after all, he hadn’t asked about it.
“Very well,” said Ing. “I suppose I will have to be returning to Dharma.”
“Your friend is not dead,” the witch said, her voice changing to a more personal tone. “She is merely sleeping. I was about to feed her to my darling fish just before you came in. I will awaken her for you.”
The Lady of the Lake started chanting some sort of spell so soft he couldn’t make out the words and Ing saw Alma awakening slowly. He quickly rushed over. “Alma, are you okay?”
***
In the town of darkness, the cloaked figure was conversing with his minions.
“I can feel it General Soren,” he said. “Alma and the boy have made it to the Lake of Promises. Soon, they will be returning to Ganwin.”
“THAT IS GOOD NEWS, MY MASTER,” said Soren.
“Don’t worry, general, you will have your hand at the boy soon enough.”
“THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.”
As the two figures spoke the sky above Akram grew blacker and graver. Thunder roared
