Chapter 12 The City of the Deep
Shadow opened his eyes and was surprised to find that he was still alive. He looked around the quiet room and almost failed to notice Keldor standing by the window.
"Ah, you're awake! Good. I was worried that you might be in a coma, but fortune seems to favor you, my friend." Keldor said smiling.
"I agree, sir. Where are Sarah and my sister?" Shadow asked as he painfully began to sit up.
"I'm not certain. They left shortly after you fell asleep. I imagine they will be returning soon to check on you." Keldor assured him.
Shadow nodded and began to get out of the bed.
"Where are you going?" Keldor asked confused as he walked over to him.
"Oh, just to the bathroom." Shadow said as he shrugged his shoulders.
"What? Are you insane? I'd say that you severed you intestine! You need to lie back down!" Keldor said in shock as he grabbed his hand.
"Wait. You mean that you didn't notice?" Shadow laughed.
"Notice what? Keldor asked, observing him intently.
"I'm cursed like my father. It saved my life. I'm almost fully healed. I'll be fine. It's just sore." Shadow explained.
"You mean that you inherited the curse? But that doesn't make any sense! Avari did not marry your father until after his curse was removed!" Keldor yelled in confusion.
"That's not what my mother told me. She said that they were married while he was still cursed." Shadow said, frowning.
"You don't understand. I was there at their wedding! I believe that your father broke his own law." Keldor laughed.
"My father didn't break any laws! I'm the one who broke his own laws!" Shadow yelled angrily.
"I'll have to ask Avari about this later. I believe that she has been keeping secrets from me." Keldor sighed.
Suddenly, the door burst open and the room was immediately filled with the aromas of freshly cooked foods. Sarah and Liseria walked into the room carrying trays of different sandwiches, rolls, and even a cake.
"Good morning, Shadow! How are you doing?" Sarah asked concerned as she sat the tray down next to him on the bed.
"Um... fine. Sarah, you two didn't have to make all of this for me..." Shadow said embarrassed.
"Of course we did, Shadow! We had to do something to help you get better!" Liseria said happily as she sat the cake down on the end table of the bed.
"Well, thanks, but there's no way that I'm going to be able to eat all of this!" Shadow laughed as he hugged his sister.
"I could help you. I am in quite a need for sustenance after our battle." Keldor said as he stepped toward the cake.
"Stop, Keldor! That's for Shadow, but you can have a sandwich if you'd like." Sarah scolded him.
"Is it too much to ask for a little appreciation?" Keldor sighed as he grabbed a sandwich.
"Please, you both should eat as well. I'd imagine that you are both quite worn out after spending the night preparing all of this for me. You should get some sleep soon." Shadow said smiling.
"It was our pleasure, Shadow! Now, eat up!" Sarah said happily as she handed him a plate.
Despite his recent complaining, Shadow did eat almost all of the food, but left them a few rolls and a piece of cake each. Once he had finished, they both stared at him and laughed.
"What? My guest was hesitant to feed me. I suppose he thought that my curse was as strong as my father's." Shadow laughed uncomfortably.
"No, it's fine, Shadow! We made it for you after all!" Liseria said happily.
"Thank you, again! It was very considerate of you both." Shadow said smiling
"Don't thank me, Shadow. It was Sarah's idea!" Liseria said as she pulled Sarah over to him.
"Really? Thank you, Sarah! I do appreciate it." Shadow said as he held her hand.
"Oh, anything for you, Shadow!" Sarah laughed as she began to blush.
Shadow smiled and motioned for her to come closer. She knelt down next to him and stared at him with much concern.
"We need to talk, Sarah, about us..." Shadow sighed.
"Oh, are you thinking that we should separate? I understand, Shadow..." Sarah murmured sadly.
"No, we do not have to separate forever. I just think that we should take a break, at least until the situation calms down. Maybe then we can focus on our relationship again." Shadow said smiling.
"It is not wise to keep the fire burning when there is naught left to burn, lest you wish that it consume you in its furious hunger." Keldor said sternly.
"That's exactly what I mean! Are you alright with that, Sarah?" Shadow asked concerned.
"Of course, Shadow! I understand. I was a fool to think that we could get back together as soon as this was all over..." She sighed.
"I'm sorry, Sarah. I just thought that it would be for the best." Shadow said sadly.
"No, it's fine, Shadow. I harmed you grievously. I should be thankful that you even want to stay with me at all!" Sarah said, managing a smile.
Shadow sighed and held her hand.
"Thank you, Sarah. I love you." He said happily.
"It's not a problem, Shadow... Is there anything else that you need?" Sarah asked concerned.
"Thank you, Sarah, but I am fine." Shadow said smiling.
"Then we'll leave you alone. Please, rest. I love you" Sarah whispered to him.
Sarah left the room with Liseria and she began to cry.
"What's wrong, Sarah?" Liseria asked as she put her hand on her shoulder.
"Oh, I've ruined everything, Liseria!" Sarah yelled as she ran off down the hall.
Avari awakened to find that she was in a dark cavern.
"Oh, my head..." She groaned.
"Please, you must be silent, Avari, or else the Agmarians will hear you!" A voice whispered from behind her.
She turned around and the man lit a torch, revealing that they were alone in a small chamber. At first, Avari thought that the man was her husband, but she could tell by his eyes that she was wrong. He was quite tall and had yellow fur like Gothmog, even his face reminded her of him, but his eyes more resembled those of her brother's. He also showed signs of aging in his eyes which felt strange to Avari since she was so accustomed to everyone being immortal.
"Who are you? Are you a Hesbeorn? No offense, but you're quite old for one. All of the Hesbeorn are currently young. Though, you do look familiar..." Avari asked confused.
"There is no need to try and convince me that I am young, Avari. No, I am nearly seven hundred years old. That is quite old for an Agmarian. I am only half immortal so I expect that my time will end soon, but I suppose that you would like to know my name. I am Harwulf. It is a Hesbeorn name as it was the name of my father." Harwulf said laughing as he helped her up.
"Wait. You're an Agmarian, but you saved my life!" Avari said as she painfully gripped her head.
"I wouldn't try to move much. You took quite a blow, I'm afraid, and I wouldn't call taking you into our subterranean lair saving your life. However, there was nothing else I could do. I also thought that you would want to know how to win this game that we've been playing with you and the Lost for the past two weeks." Harwulf laughed.
"Why are you trying to help us? I don't understand. Don't you want Maria's throne or something?" Avari laughed.
"No, Avari, I do not wish to rule anyone but myself. He who desires her throne is known to the Agmarians as Baldric the Blood-bringer. But that is merely a title he earned. His birth name is Helevorn, and he claims to be the biological son of Arawn, though he has no proof. I do not believe him for even if Arawn had a son he would of had one much earlier than when Helevorn joined us as a child. Helevorn was eight years old when I was born. Despite this, I am certain that he is immortal, and he possesses powers and attributes of a Lost follower. If he is Arawn's son I would say that Arawn only had him because he feared that Gothmog and the Hesbeorn would kill him and send the Lost into chaos without a king. I would like to find his mother, if she is still alive, and ask her about his father. Arawn never was open about his personal life. I'm sure that you realized that more than anyone. But that is all you need to know. Helevorn is your enemy and I am your friend." Harwulf explained.
"All right, so what has this Helevorn been doing within the depths of the mountains?" Avari asked concerned.
"He has been building an army and trying to stir up as much hate for the Lost and the Hesbeorn as he can. We have been working laboring within the mountains for centuries, forming an army while a few of the younger Agmarians remain on the surface trying to fool you all into thinking that we are a tribal band of savages. And if it wasn't for Helevorn we would still be roaming theses barren lands for food. He discovered this place around five hundred years ago. There is a fungus down here that grows in plentiful amounts. It is a staple food that we have been living on. It may not be the most nutritious food, but it gives us what we need and there is a great quantity of it. We may have complained about our hard lifestyle, but it was all in his plan to earn your sympathy. It fooled Agumar as well, but he was a fool regardless. Now, if you will come with me, I will lead you out of here so that you can bring this information to your friends. I imagine that Helevorn will enter the final stage of his plan soon, and march upon Nathelien while your armies are so far away. He will unleash his armies from these mountains and head north. They will climb over the walls of that city and destroy everything within it that opposes them, for that is his nature, ruthless and unforgiving. You should leave now while you still have time." Harwulf explained hastily.
"What? I'm not leaving just yet! I want to see this city you have made so that I can understand the threat that we face." Avari said smiling.
"You wish to go into Nargothad? You will be discovered and then we will be killed! It would be foolish, Avari!" Harwulf yelled in shock.
"Well, you can disguise me, can't you? I can pass for an Agmarian girl. I could be your granddaughter!" Avari said happily.
"No Agmarian has that hair color, save our elderly, but most Agmarians don't live long enough to see the graying of their hair anyway. Believe me, you will get a lot of attention if you go walking through our underground citadel. You do not understand our life style, Avari. Down here you're either a warrior, a prostitute, or both. You will be discovered eventually. Most people around here don't trust me any way. They see me as a queer old man that believes himself to be a full Hesbeorn. I see both the Hesbeorn and the Lost as my family. That is why I refused to fight them, but I was willing to fight the Chao for they were enemies to the Lost and held little respect for the Hesbeorn." Harwulf said with much doubt in her.
"I can be bad, Harwulf! Just ask Mavok or Zambrog. They've seen how evil and malicious I can be!" Avari laughed as she crossed her arms.
Harwulf stared at her and shook his head.
"I've seen more evil in the hearts of children, Avari. Dyrnwyn chose you. It is in your nature to do what is right. No one ever speaks of the dreaded Avari, but they know you as the noble Avari who struck down Agumar the Necromancer who could not be defeated by kings who faced him before her. We Agmarians value great deeds and none of yours are of evil. They are selfless and righteous." Harwulf said laughing.
"Believe me, Harwulf, in another timeline I was so evil that you wouldn't have even compared me to Agumar or Arawn. I was filled with a different darkness that this world has not experienced since." Avari said proudly.
"I believe you, Avari. Stranger things have happened within Northank, but then was then and it will not help you now. Though, if you are so content on seeing our city then I suppose that I could get you one of my daughter's outfits. You'll have to hide that armor somewhere, as well as that beautiful ring, I'm afraid." Harwulf sighed.
Avari stared at him in disbelief.
"If you think that I am going to part from this ring then you are mistaken! This ring holds all of the greatest memories of my sweetheart!" Avari yelled at him.
"Avari, please, they will surely recognize you by that ring. There is only one in its fashion. You should conceal it here in my secret chamber. I'll give you a torch. I will return with some clothing for you." Harwulf sighed as he walked off down a tunnel.
Avari shook her head and removed Mavok's ring. She knew how helpful it would be to be able to read the minds of the Agmarians. That way she would know if they found out who she was or she could even discover some of their plans. Despite this, she grudgingly removed the ring and hid it under a small stone. She leaned the Flame of Balar up against the wall of the chamber and began removing her armor.
Harwulf then returned and brought her a green dress. She put it on and smiled as it fit her perfectly.
"Thank you, Harwulf. I'm ready to leave now." Avari said happily.
"Are you sure that you don't want to do anything about your hair? I have a cloak that would conceal it." Harwulf asked concerned.
"It will be fine. Besides, that would just make me look suspicious. I doubt that many Agmarian girls hide their hair." Avari laughed.
"So be it..." He sighed as he began to led her out of the chamber.
They walked down the tunnel for what felt like hours to Avari. Eventually, they came to an enormous hall that was filled with Agmarians, all bearing armor and weapons. Their force was at least double the size of that of the Lost, though, they were not as disciplined.
"Maria has to know about this, Harwulf. You should come with me. We could use your intelligence. You know more about the Agmarians than any of us." Avari whispered to him.
"I appreciate the offer, Avari, but I belong here. Our society is so different from yours. We do not have laws or regulations that we must follow. I lived this life for seven hundred years. I could not live in your world of order and control. I am sorry." Harwulf said sadly as he looked down at himself.
"Please, Harwulf, your mother could still be alive in the Lost! I'm certain that she has missed you deeply!" Avari begged him.
"No, Avari, if my mother is still alive then she probably believes that I am dead. I would just embarrass her if she saw me again. After my father died, she left me, bearing much grief for his death. Of course, I was fully grown by then, but yes, I do miss her." He sighed.
"What is her name? I might know her." Avari asked hopefully.
"I doubt that you would. She was part of the second generation of Lost followers, and was one of the first Lost followers to be born and not simply created by Arawn." Harwulf said smiling.
"Please tell me her name, Harwulf. Other than Gothmog and Zambrog, I never had any friends in Nathelien, but perhaps Maria will know her! Come with me and we'll-"
"Ha! What do we have here? An old fool and an even greater young fool!" A man laughed from behind her.
Avari turned around and grimaced as she saw the man behind her. He did not look natural, as if he had altered his physical appearance. He was much too tall for a Mobian hedgehog. His shoulders were broad and flat while his eyes were narrow and pierced through her like daggers. She then realized that someone had used necromancy to make him stronger, but he looked more like a human than any Mobian she had ever seen. It disgusted her for it was a crime against nature as she knew necromancy was in and of itself without its effects. He also had two female Mobians with him that had undergone similar necromancy as they were almost his height and they shared more human characteristics. Avari could already tell that she wasn't going to like these people.
"A good question, fiend. I would also like to know what it is that has appalled my sight." Avari said as she crossed her arms and stared at the man.
"Strange company for a strange man I suppose... Since when do you travel with such ill-tempered people, Harwulf? Tell me, who is this fiery whore?" The man asked laughing. The women in his arms joined him in laughter.
Avari began to charge toward him, but Harwulf pulled her back.
"This is my granddaughter, Katrina. I was just taking her to meet some of her friends. We'll be going now, Illfang. Farewell!" Harwulf said as he took Avari's hand and began to walk away.
"Do you take me for a fool, Harwulf," Avari nodded at this, "I've slept with your granddaughter enough times to know her appearance and that's not her." The man whose name was Illfang said suspiciously.
"This is my youngest granddaughter. She seldom sees any men, Illfang, and she certainly doesn't plan on starting. Please, we are in a hurry!" Harwulf said angrily.
"Listen, old man, I do not enjoy being lied to! Tell me who this whelp is, now, or I shall-"
"Listen you freak! I don't like the way you're treating my grandfather! You better leave him alone before someone gets hurt!" Avari threatened as she stared up at him.
"And that someone would be you, you ungrateful-"
"Illfang! Stop harassing this young lady at once!" A deep voice yelled from behind him.
"Brother!" Avari whispered excitedly as she saw the man approach them.
"Baldric, this child was-"
"-doing you no harm, Illfang. Take your women and leave, now! You have students waiting for you, and I have not the patience to argue with you today!" The man yelled angrily.
Illfang looked back at Avari and grudgingly walked off, accompanied by the two women.
"My deepest apologies, young lady. Illfang is an ill person as you could interpret by his title. He lacks respect and pays no heed to manners or courtesy. I don't believe that we've met. I am known as Baldric the Blood-bringer, but you may call me Helevorn. Your grandfather and I have been close friends for many centuries. Tell me, what is your name if I may ask?" Helevorn said smiling.
Avari was in too much awe to speak.
"This is Katrina, Helevorn. She is very pleased to meet you." Harwulf said as he grabbed Avari by the shoulders.
"The pleasure was all mine. Good day to you both!" Helevorn said as he shook their hands.
When he touched Avari it was as if the world had frozen in time as she looked into his eyes and saw the eyes of her brother. She could not help but cry as she stared at him. He gave her a look of concern and then redirected it to Harwulf. He then walked away without saying another word.
"That was my nephew, Harwulf! I could feel it! Oh, how I wish that I could throw my arms around him and kiss him! Just look at him! He is my brother in every way! Why did he keep his son a secret from me?" Avari said, overwhelmed with emotion.
"That's nice and all, but I have to ask, Avari, are you insane? Illfang is a very powerful necromancer! He leads an organization called the Shroud. They are his students that have sworn oaths to serve him. Those two women were both members. He will have the Shroud hunting you within the hour! You must leave, now!" Harwulf yelled furiously.
"I'm not leaving until that worm lies dead at my feet... or at least learns how to properly treat a lady!" Avari said as she clenched her fists.
"Please, Avari, do not remain here. It is too dangerous. You have to leave, for I do not wish to see you come to harm." Harwulf whispered to you.
"You know, Harwulf, You've been caring a lot for me lately. I'm beginning to think that you aren't telling me the whole truth about who you are." Avari said smiling.
Harwulf glared at her and shook his head.
"I am an Agmarian, Avari. You are my family as are all of the Lost and Hesbeorn. I care for you as I would a sister." He whispered to her.
"Right. Well, if you're going to persist with this charade then tell me how I could teach this Illfang a lesson without revealing my identity." Avari sighed.
"Listen to me, Avari. I'm about to carry you out of here if you don't straighten up." Harwulf said harshly.
"I'm not going to let that man push you around like that anymore, Harwulf!" Avari said sternly.
"You're just as stubborn as your brother, if not more." Harwulf laughed pleasantly.
"You knew my brother?" Avari asked puzzled.
"Of course I knew your brother! Who didn't?" Harwulf said in shock.
Avari crossed her arms and smiled at him.
"I think that you wanted me to take that ring off for more than one reason." She said smuggly.
"All right, my mother knew him. She knew him better than most. Listen, Illfang has an academy not far from here. Go there and earn his trust. Once you get him alone he will be at your mercy. He is a coward. Those women that were with him were not just there for his pleasure. He uses some necromancy to bind their lives with his own. If he were to be harmed, the wounds would fall upon them instead. Once he is alone with you he will be vulnerable to any weapon. Do not worry. He is a foolish fellow and will trust any pretty face, even one that has insulted him as you did. Now, go and make haste before the Shroud comes after you!" Harwulf explained.
Avari hugged him and ran off. It did not take her long to find the necromancy academy. It was a large stone structure that was built over a chasm. Avari quickly ran across the bridge to the door of the academy, but the guards stopped her.
"No one is allowed into the academy without permission from the Headmaster or Baldric himself." One of the guards said sternly. It was obvious that he had said it many times.
"Oh, sir, you wouldn't let a little girl like me enter this fine academy? All I want is to learn to make myself immortal so that I can remain young and beautiful forever!" Avari begged as she grabbed his arm.
The man looked at the other guard and smiled.
"You don't know the Headmaster, do you, young lady?" The guard asked as he sheathed his sword.
"Oh, I know him, but I wish I didn't. I'd rather get to know you two actually." Avari said smiling.
"Listen, cutie, you should leave this place. It is tainted with an ancient evil, older than the Earth itself." The other guard said harshly.
"Well, maybe this evil wouldn't be so scary if you two strong men protected me." Avari said as she put her arm around the other guard.
"The dead do not serve the living, young lady. Those who affiliate themselves with necromancy will be the first people that will experience Northank's wrath, for they insult it by trying to take dominion over its vast power." The guard said as he dragged her back to the bridge.
"Go back to your parents. I'm sure that you didn't tell them you were coming here. Only those who wish to destroy themselves enter this fell place." He said gravely.
The door to the academy swung open and Illfang stepped out, accompanied by the same women that he was with earlier. He looked at Avari and smiled.
"No, let her in... I've been expecting her." He said without taking his eyes off of her.
The guards looked at each other and stepped aside. Avari ran through the door and the guards promptly shut it behind her.
"You have some nerve coming here, little girl, and not to mention that you disrupted my class." Illfang said frowning.
"I know, but I just felt so guilty about what I said to you earlier. I had to come and apologize." Avari said shamefully.
"Really? That is interesting. What brought upon this guilt of yours?" He asked inquisitively.
"I realized that I misspoke, and that I don't truly know you all that well. I thought that maybe if I was able to get to know you better then I could learn to better respect you. Oh, please, you are a very handsome man and it's obvious that you possess strength far beyond that of any Agmarian!" Avari said hopefully.
"Well... I suppose that I could give you a free class. Then, afterwards perhaps we can talk about fixing this hideous hair of yours." Illfang laughed.
"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Avari said happily as she grabbed his hand.
He took Avari to his classroom and found her a seat in the front row. The room was small with little light. There were three stone tables that seated several Agmarians. It was quite an unpleasant room, and she immediately couldn't wait to leave.
Avari hated necromancy more than anything she had ever witnessed. She couldn't believe that she was actually about to try and use it to earn this wretched man's trust.
"Good evening, you spineless worms! You are all here today because you were wither brave or stupid enough to want to learn how you could get your hands on this abundance of power in Northank that grows every day because that is all that necromancy is! Without Northank there would be no necromancy! Necromancy is simply the use of the evil power within Northank to create more evil! Now, we're going to start out with the most difficult thing that one can accomplish with Northank's power and that is the raising of the dead! I collected some dead fowl to use as test subjects. Now, go ahead and bring life to them." Illfang said happily.
"Um... sir, aren't you going to tell us how to raise them from the dead?" The Agmarian sitting next to Avari asked confused.
"No, that would be too easy!" Illfang laughed deeply.
Over time, all of the Agmarians in the room got up and left. Illfang didn't seem to care. He knew that most of them just sought immortality for themselves. He stared intently at Avari as she was the only one of his students that remained. Several minutes went by as Avari tried to figure out just what game he was trying to play with her.
Illfang sat down in his chair and motioned for one of the women guarding him to sit in his lap.
"This isn't distracting for you, is it, Katrina?" He asked smiling.
"No, sir!" Avari said happily.
She looked down at the dead baby chick laying before her. She thought about how its life had been ended so prematurely for such a cruel purpose. She pitied it and stroked the crest of its head. She thought long and hard about what Illfang had told her.
He said that all necromancy was connected to Northank. Aren't we all connected to Northank. I mean, our spirits are supposed to find rest there when they die aren't they? Maybe if I find out how this little guy is connected to Northank and sever that connection his spirit would reawaken! Avari thought hopefully.
She searched for quite some time through her mind, trying to find the baby chick's connection to Northank. It was such a small and insignificant connection that she almost missed it. It felt as if she had discovered a link to another world and was about to separate that world so that it would never again meet her own. Though it was different than that. There was a life to this link, a life that slumbered eternally. She felt as though she would also reawaken a beast by destroying it. Finally, with a great deal of effort, she mentally severed the link and the chick quickly jumped into the air with a chirp and looked around the room with startled eyes. Avari picked it up and smiled as she could feel its heart beat once more. She helped it climb onto her shoulder and allowed it to peck at her hair.
Illfang jumped up from his chair, allowing the woman in his lap to fall onto the floor.
"I can't believe this! How did you do that?" He asked as he knelt down to face her.
"Why do you want to know?" Avari laughed as she petted the chick playfully.
"I want to know because I don't know how to raise the dead myself! I couldn't raise bread over a fire! How is it that you did this without studying any books or having a real teacher?" He asked desperately.
"Hmm... Maybe we could talk it over without being in the presence of others?" Avari asked insinuating to the women behind him.
"Oh... Of course! Leave us be!" Illfang said as he beckoned them away.
They grudgingly left the room, not taking their eyes off of Avari.
"Do you have a more private room? One where we wouldn't be disturbed and where no one would come looking for us?" Avari asked as she grabbed his hand.
"Well, you really want to be alone don't you?" Illfang laughed as he rolled his eyes.
"I have a study on the second floor. I make sure that no one ever disturbs me while I'm in there." Illfang said after some thought.
"Oh, that would be just perfect!" Avari said happily as she threw her arms around his neck.
How I wish that I could strangle him right now! Avari thought sadly.
Illfang quickly took Avari up the stairs and onto the second floor. They came to a large, steel door that Avari mistook for a vault. He inserted a large key into the keyhole of the door and it slid open with a loud groan of metal upon rock. They walked in and he carefully shut the door behind them. They sat down in a chair together and he lit a candle for light.
"Could you put that out, please? I enjoy the dark." Avari said as she rubbed his quills.
"Not yet, Katrina! I need to know how you were able to give life to that bird. Please, I must know!" He asked desperately.
"Oh, can't that wait? I'd really like to teach you a few things right now." Avari said smiling.
"Please, Katrina, you have to tell me! You don't know how much this means to me!" Illfang said as he began to quiver with anticipation.
"Oh, why do you want to know so badly?" Avari asked as she rolled her eyes.
"I need to know because I want to see my mother again, Katrina! Please, won't you do this for me?" He asked as tears came to his eyes.
Avari stared at him and blinked several times.
"Wait... What?" Avari asked as she began to talk like herself again.
"My father killed my mother when I was a child because he suspected that she was seeing another man! That's why I got into all of this necromancy and sorcery, Katrina! I just want to feel the comfort of my mother's arms again and her the soothing sound of her voice! Please, you have to help me!" He begged her as tears came to his eyes.
Avari jumped out of the chair and began to cry.
"I'm so sorry, Illfang! I'm such a terrible person! I came here today to try and trick you so that I could get you alone and I could kill you out of nothing but hate! I'll tell you how you can bring your mother back! Could you ever forgive me?" Avari cried as she fell to her knees.
Illfang sat the candle down on a table and knelt down to her.
"Why didn't you kill me then? Do you think that having a good cause makes me a good person? Just look at me. Besides, at least if I were dead I would be able to see my mother again. Go on, Katrina. Just leave me alone... I won't bother you anymore." He said depressed.
"Wait, but Illfang, don't you want to know how you can bring your mother back?" Avari asked as she wiped away her tears.
"My name is Beorthan, Katrina. No, I do not want to know. I will just go the other path and wait for death to take me so that I can see her again, but thank you. I have spent centuries trying to get her back, and thanks to you, Katrina, I found the true way. Again, thank you..." He said smiling.
"No, I should be thanking you... Beorthan!" Avari said happily.
He Laughed and shook his head.
"You should probably get going. I'm certain that your parents are worried about you." Beorthan laughed as he opened the door for her.
"Thank you, Beorthan! I hope to see you again!" Avari said smiling.
"If we do see each other again I hope that it is not at the edge of a sword. Isn't that right, Avari?" He said smiling.
He then shut the door before Avari could respond.
"Who... Who was that man?" Avari muttered to herself.
She quickly ran down the stair and left the academy. She got lost a few times trying to find the way back to Harwulf's secret chamber. When she had found it at last, she quickly put on her armor and grabbed the Flame of Balar. She left the clothes there, in hope that Harwulf would find them. As she began to leave, Avari realized that she had almost forgotten her ring. She removed the stone and was relieved to find that it was still there. She slid it over her finger and ran out of the room. Once she had entered the main hall, she began to stealthily move along the wall when she noticed Harwulf and Helevorn walking down the street talking to each other.
"I wonder what happened to Avari? I expected her to be back by now." Harwulf said confused.
"Perhaps I should send some soldiers after her. Avari could have actually killed him. She is quite a resourceful woman." Helevorn said nervously.
"I can't believe it. They are old-time friends indeed! He sold me out!" Avari whispered quietly.
She gabbed the Flame of Balar and jumped out in front of them.
"Oh! There you are, Avari!" Harwulf said relieved.
"Listen, you're both going to lead me out of here and never say a word about this again!" Avari yelled sternly.
"You're leaving already? You know, we aren't all like Illfang." Helevorn laughed.
"Oh, I wish that you could all be like him! Now, go on and lead me out of this dreaded place! If you weren't my nephew I would kill you right now and end this war!" Avari yelled as she shoved the blade up against his neck.
"You know, Harwulf is your nephew as well! We're brothers!" Helevorn said as he smiled at him.
"I was trying to keep that in secrecy, Helevorn." Harwulf sighed as he shook his head.
"Wait... How is that possible if you're half Hesbeorn?" Avari asked in confusion as she lowered her weapon.
"We're half-brothers. We share the same mother. She was seeing both of our fathers. She had my brother with Arawn and she had me with Harwulf, Gothmog's older brother. Really, we could both claim the throne to the Lost and Hesbeor." Harwulf explained.
"So, this woman connected my family with my sweetheart's family before I even knew him?" Avari asked as she dropped the Flame of Balar to the ground.
"Not very long before you knew him. It would have just been three years later until you met Gothmog." Helevorn said as he shrugged his shoulders.
"All right, then, tell me, who is your mother? She has a lot of explaining to do is all I can say." Avari sighed in frustration.
"Meredith." They both said in unison.
I CLAIM THE RIGHTS TO ALL CHARACTERS IN THIS CHAPTER
Well, this was an interesting chapter! I certainly had a lot of fun writing it. I'm excited to write the next chapter because I know that the war will be over after it. Once the war is over, I'll tie up these relationships with the four children and then it will sadly be over...
