'Two things of great importance had been entrusted to the immortals, the Sword of Death and the Book of Life. The Sword of Death was too dark a creation to rest within the realm of light, and too dangerous for it to be within the Dark Lord's grasp. The Book of Life had in it the prophecies said to have been spoken by the Oracle, the great one who lived before all mortal creatures were in existence.'
'Dairinn, the immortal with the gift of strife, was guardian of the sword and the book. It was his betrayal that plunged all who lived and breathed into shadow. Ciara, the immortal with the gift of language, wove her tales as the Dark Lord had tempted her, and she opened the forbidden pages of the Book of Life, and touched them with the blade of the sword, tearing out the Prophecy of the Oni, and stealing the sword just as Dairinn was caught in his treason.'
'Condemned to Hothrendaire with Dairinn and two others who willfully betrayed the creator, Ciara began to cultivate the darkness that had long lay in the realm of man. She promised power and immortality in exchange for service to her, and her free entrance into their world. They opened the gateway between Hothrendaire and Middengard, sealing the fates of all mortal and immortal beings. In the Dark Lord's hands now rested the power to take lives for eternity, leaving no soul to either Hothrendaire or the realm of light.'
'Knowing how greatly the Dark Lord coveted her, Eanna made a trade — her life in exchange for the lives of all others.'
Ariana kept her eyes on the image, understanding now the expressions they wore. 'What a dark tale. Is that the end of it?' she asked.
'For now,' Bronach whispered.
She laughed, shutting the pages of the book. 'Your parents must have had a sense of humor. Who would name their child after what might as well be the God of sorrow?'
'It was not always this way. The name used to mean something very different, but we will save that story for another time. I believe you have an engagement this evening.'
'Don't remind me. I couldn't feel farther from home than when I'm near the women in this place. They make me feel downright savage.'
He smiled, patting her hand again, 'Don't let these little things weigh on you. You are of far greater worth than you know, child. Much more.'
'Your kindness I think may be misplaced, but it's certainly appreciated.' She rose, turning to face him as she reached the door. 'What do you think it meant — the temple, and the little girl?'
Bronach remained silent for a moment, 'It is said that Ciara sometimes sends strange dreams to toy with mortals. I cannot imagine she would favor the child who has so effortlessly swayed her highest commander.'
'Perhaps… who told you about Garren?'
'He spared your life didn't he? In Palingard?'
Ariana leaned against the door frame. 'Did Michael tell you? Jenner?'
'And he touched you, which was not necessary, when he tried to take your soul?'
She came back and reclaimed her seat at the table. 'I never told them that he touched me.'
'You have seen him since, in visions, dreams. You have heard of his deeds and, while your mind may understand the gravity of them, your heart sees someone else entirely.' Bronach took her hand in both of his, clasped it with clear emotion, but didn't look at her directly. Several moments passed before he spoke again. 'Jenner told me.'
She stared at him, his gentle, unassuming features; his quiet, respectful nature evident in the lines of his eyes, and noticed that the pages in the book had turned, likely from the draft she'd felt from the moment she'd entered the room. It had landed on a portrayal of the immortal Bronach.
He let go of her hand and as she rose from her seat, he did as well. 'I merely mean to point out there may be far more significance in it than you think. That's all.'
Again, she made it to the door and turned around. 'You aren't going to tell me what that significance is, are you?'
'If only I could, child.'
'Jenner told you?'
Bronach listened until he heard Ariana's footsteps fade, before he turned around to address the question. 'What was I supposed to say?'
The figure emerged from the shadows, 'You saw her reaction to Garren first-hand, why did you need to see it confirmed?'
Bronach nodded, his features shifting in the flicker of the candlelight from the wizened visage of an old man to the ageless features of his true form. 'So did you. Yet I know you were watching her response just as carefully as I was. And who went to Garren as a child? Spoke to him in the guise of his guardian, of choices he'd be making in the future? You speak of taking risks, but perhaps you should consider your own indiscretions first.' When he didn't receive a response, Bronach added, 'Why didn't you tell me that Azrian had found her?'
'Would it have made a difference?' The figure came around the table and sat in the chair where Ariana had been moments before. 'The Dark Lord cannot reach her here. Have faith, friend. You've said this to me on more occasions than I can begin to recall. Why do you have doubts now, of all times?'
'The winds have changed. If Azrian knows where Ariana is, he knows where Garren is. This may have always been a possibility, but if we had — '
'There is no way we could have foreseen the effect of their meeting in this mortal plane and that's the only way the Dark Lord could have found her. But, you are forgetting something — that same unpredictable power means their love is far greater than even you or I could ever have imagined.'
This didn't lessen Bronach's fears at all. 'Or that Garren's darkness as a son of Ereubus is so great, the very foundations of the immortal world shook when he touched her. His mother's Adorian blood combined with that of the lineage may have made things worse.'
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Garren had just fallen into a deep sleep when Tadraem burst through his door. He sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Tadraem stopped just a foot from Garren. 'They are all dead, my Lord. One, a mere boy, was left alive.'
'You're going to have to be more specific.' Garren rose from the bed, and pulled his cloak tightly around his shoulders. He was so cold, his fingers felt numb.
'Jules and all of his men. They were returning from Ruiari when they were slaughtered. Michael spared only one of them.'
Garren's eyes grew wide. No Adorian had ever behaved in such a fashion. They usually avoided bloodshed as much as possible — it was their greatest weakness. He knew Michael would be angry over the loss of his men, but he hadn't foreseen this.
'Are you certain it was Michael?'
Tadraem nodded. 'The boy has said little else, but he was certain Michael was in command.'
Garren started toward the door. 'Take me to the child.'
Tadraem led Garren to a smaller room at the end of a long corridor and down several flights of stairs. Pushing open a heavy wooden door, they passed the humans who were tending to the boy. One was putting away his armor; the other was preparing fresh clothing for him.
Garren looked at them, pointing to the door. 'Leave us!' he barked.
The boy's clothes were covered in blood, though it did not appear be his own. Still, he shook violently in his chair.
'What's your name?' Garren placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, leaning over him as he spoke.
'Micah, my Lord.' he stammered. He was so small. It surprised him that Jules had chosen him for any venture outside of Eidolon. As the boy looked at him, he began to recognize some of his features. He guessed the boy to be
