Origin Systems and Richard Garriot own the characters within this work. I
uphold no claim to them, except for the character Alexander Blackhall, who
is solely my creation. I hope that this does not offend anyone, but if it
does, please be courteous and respectful when giving a review. Thank you.
Chapter Two: Discovery
Alex walked to a nearby chair and sat, reeling from the news. His head spun with a thousand different questions, but none would surface long enough for his shocked consciousness to grasp. The realization, however, quickly manifested. It sent chills down his spine as he said the words.
"I'm the son of the Avatar. I am the Son of Virtue." He said solemnly, reverently, with growing pride. "But why didn't you ever tell me, mother? Why wait until now?"
"Because I had hoped to keep it a secret forever. Please understand, Alex. I fell in love with your father from the moment I first saw him in action. He surpassed the legends when seen in the flesh. I had expected to find a man whose exploits were exaggerated beyond all reality. When I saw Kevin, your father's given name, fight his way through Despise, I realized that the legends were mostly accurate. Sure, they've been stretched a little, but not as much as most would believe. When he left me to face the Guardian, my heart shattered. He didn't want to leave, he told me as much, but it was his responsibility to do so. After he disappeared, I couldn't help it. I broke down right there at the helm and cried. I cried for him, for my father, and even for myself. After a while, the tears stopped flowing, and I looked up. I saw Lord British's private ship sailing for the dock. I hopped to the deck, and the Golden Ankh slid next to the Hart, tying up securely. It wasn't long before the whole island started to rumble and quake. A brilliant beam of light erupted from the roof of the Guardian's Keep, and spread out along the sky, blanketing the world. From what I heard later, the columns were ripped from the ground, the damage they caused healed. I heard that the Shrines themselves glowed brightly for days afterwards, but were strangely silent during that time, even to devout meditation. LB and I walked into the Keep, the few Wyrmguard that still roamed quickly ran from us. We walked into the Guardian's throne room, and could only stare at the destruction. The Sigils were gone, and there was debris everywhere. That's when it really hit me that he was gone. I almost started bawling again right there. But then I saw a glimmer from a pile of rags. It was Kevin's ankh pendant. In fact, I wear the same one now. It was then that I decided to take Kevin's surname. It made me feel like he was still there with me. I left that isle and wandered around a bit. That's when I started feeling ill. At first, I thought it was just my sorrow, but it got so that I could not even eat. I sailed into Britain and saw the healers there. They told me that I was pregnant, and that it was going to be a boy. I stayed there for a few days, until the sickness passed, and then traveled again. I met with all of the companions, and learned about the Virtues that Kevin had upheld. All of the companions told me their stories, and stories of him that never made it into the history books. I spent about a month with each of them, learning all that I could. When it came time for you to be born, I headed for Britain. You were born a day earlier than expected, but were healthier than any other child they had ever seen. I never told anyone who the father was, only that he had died in service of the Virtues. I made one side trip on the way back here to the Den. With Lord British accompanying me, I traveled to the Shrine of Spirituality. LB stood near the moongate while I approached the shrine with you. I laid you on the shrine, knelt down, and called for Kevin to hear me. I made a vow that day, a vow that you would grow up to know the Virtues as he knew them. I also promised that, unless the need presented itself, you would never know who your father was. I left the shrine, and LB and I came back through the moongate. I traveled back here, and settled down to raise you. The rest, you know." Raven said, speaking evenly, her eyes sometimes staring at the phantoms that raced through her mind.
"But, why hide the truth of my birth from me? What reason could there have been to do that, mother?" Alex said, annoyance lacing his voice.
"Because the Guardian still has agents and warriors in Britannia, and has a large army somewhere among the worlds that he controlled. Kevin told me as much. Alex, you have been taught all that I know about sailing and fighting, along with the more mundane tasks that will nevertheless help you in your journeys. You are able to defend yourself, and defend others. Now it is time to leave. You must go see Lord British in his castle in Britain. He will know where Kevin's true homeworld is. You must go there and find your heritage. You must find the missing half of yourself there." Raven said, her eyes clouding with tears.
"My father's homeworld? But, I thought he was a Britannian, like you and me."
"No, my son, he was not. The companions told me that he was from a world known as Earth. Many of the companions are from there as well, but all of them have made Britannia their home. Lord British is also rumored to have come from Earth many years ago. He will know how to get back."
One of the men that had attacked Alex and Raven groaned and woke up. Alex walked over and lifted the man by the collar of the chainmail tunic he wore. Alex brought the man to eye-level, and spoke steadily, anger seething in his words.
"Alright, who are you, and what does this armor mean?"
"I am Garsten of the Wyrmguard, and this armor marks me as one of Blackthorn's personal guard, not that that means anything since that mewling despot British murdered him." The man said, snarling.
"Wyrmguard!?! I thought the companions had hunted them all down! Well, you three are going to know what it feels like to drown. I have no compassion for murderers such as you." Alex said, picking Garsten up over his head as he walked out the door. Alex threw the man over the railing, and Garsten rolled and bounced painfully down the cliff face, making a loud splash as he hit the water and sank like a stone. He walked back in, and looked at the other two.
"This armor may come in handy if I ever need to disguise myself. What do you think, mother?"
"Sounds like a plan. Nevertheless, do not kill them. Let Justice prevail over them. The one you threw over the cliff should pay the price for all of them." Raven said, walking over and putting a hand on her son's shoulder.
Alex grimaced, but nodded. He untied and took the armor off one of the men that was close to his size, and tied the man back up. He arranged the armor in a large sack, and tied it shut, putting the bag into a large backpack sitting against the wall. He walked to his mother, and gave her a goodbye hug. She shook her head.
"No, son, this is not goodbye. I am going to deliver these two to Yew, and then I'm going to do some traveling again. I will drop you off in Britain." Raven said, smiling.
"Thanks, mom. Shall we get going?"
"Yes, let's. The sooner you start on your quest, the sooner you will be ready for your destiny."
Alex shouldered the pack, and then crouched beside the men piling them across his shoulders like long logs, carrying them both slowly towards the Silver Hart. He dropped them below decks, and then came back up to stand near his mother. She nodded, a pair of dockhands threw the mooring lines back onto the Hart, and they were free to leave. She spun the wheel hard to port, away from the dock on her starboard side. Within moments, they were headed into the deep ocean, and turning north towards Britain.
"I didn't want to give you these things while we were at home, for fear that it might draw attention." Raven said as she picked up a small bundle and handed it to Alex. He took it reverently, knowing that it had been his father's.
He unwrapped the bundle, and gasped at the sight of the most magnificent sword that he had ever seen. It would easily cost a fortune to have one made, but he felt that this one was unique. He tucked the cloth into his belt, and drew the sword from its scabbard. It rang clear and true as metal slid along metal. Alex looked at the blade, and his jaw dropped. It was a Blackrock sword, one of the most expensive and deadly weapons in Britannia. Only the blacksmith in Trinsic had the knowledge and ability to forge one. This sword, though, was etched along the entire surface of the blade with strange runes. Alex looked at them intently, and they began to swim in his vision. Suddenly, he knew what they meant, how to pronounce their names, and how they were used. The runes on the blade spelled out the eight virtues, with the three principles of Truth, Love, and Courage etched into the hilt. Alex turned the blade repeatedly in his hands, admiring the detail and precision of the blade. He hooked the scabbard to his belt, and then sheathed the blade. He looked at his mother, and smiled.
"Thanks mom. Dad's sword will be put to good use again."
Raven stepped forward and reached up to her neck. She undid the locking link on the chain that held Kevin's ankh, and then placed it around Alex's neck. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a quick kiss.
"Take the ankh that your father wore. He will protect you through it, I know. I love you son." Raven said as tears filled her eyes once more.
"Thanks, mom. And don't cry. I will be back soon. And when I come back, the Guardian's lackeys had better watch out." Alex said with bravado.
Raven smiled and walked back to the helm, steering them towards Britain. In under an hour, they were beside the docks. Alex gave his mother a tender hug, and leapt nimbly to the dock below. He waved goodbye as she sailed away from the dock, and then sighed, feeling more alone than he had ever before in his life.
Alex walked through Britain, savoring the sights and smells of one of Britannia's capitol cities. The city of Compassion was huge compared to Buc's Den, and Alex felt a little intimidated. As he walked up the cobblestone path, a brigand emerged from the shadows, drawing a sword. Alex turned to face him. The brigand swung his sword, a cheap scimitar, and Alex dodged gracefully, swinging his fist around and catching the brigand in the back of the neck. The man fell to the cobblestones, unconscious. Alex left him where he lay, walking further into the city. He passed the armorer and bowyer, and walked beside the tavern. He passed by the gazebo that most of the citizens gathered at during the day to exchange gossip, and looked down the street. In the distance, Alex saw the castle of Lord British, and smiled. He walked towards the castle, but was stopped at the drawbridge by two knights. One walked up to him, brandishing his blade.
"Halt, who goes there? Be thee friend or foe?" the knight said boldly.
"I am a friend. My name is Alexander and I am here to see Lord British."
The knight looked him over skeptically, but stepped back. Alex walked across the drawbridge as the knight sheathed his blade. Alex walked into the castle itself, and was soon set upon by a slightly portly man.
"I am Pennington, Lord British's seneschal. Do you have business with my lord?" Pennington said.
"I am here to talk to him personally. Now, please move." Alex said brashly.
The man stepped back quickly, and Alex walked through the large double doors into the Throne Room. He saw Lord British sitting on his throne, and approached. He stopped at the foot of the throne, and bowed.
"My liege, I have come to speak with you." He said respectfully.
Lord British only chuckled. "Then, by all means, stand up and talk. I am not so proud as to stand on outdated customs. What did you need to speak about, son?"
"Can we speak in your study? This is a matter that I would rather not discuss in front of others." Alex said calmly.
"Of course we can, young man." Lord British led the way to his study, and closed the large doors. He then turned to Alex, and smiled.
"Now, what is so secret that you require that only I hear it?"
"My liege, I come before you to learn how to travel to Earth."
"Earth?" Lord British said, astonished. "Tell me, how did you learn of Earth, and why would you think that I would know anything about it?"
"Because my father was from Earth, and so are you, if the companions speak truth."
"Who was your father, boy? Are you another that claims to be heir to the Avatar's legacy?" Lord British said, irritated.
"Another, sire? How many have there been?" Alex gasped. He could not fathom why someone would lie about something so important.
"Oh, too many to count. All of them have come forward, saying that they can trace their family back, and include the Avatar somewhere in their family tree. All have been proven wrong."
"Sire, I know that this sounds like another hoax, but I am the son of Kevin Blackhall, Avatar of Britannia. My mother is Raven Blackhall, formerly Raven Hawkings, daughter of Samhayne Hawkings, the late unofficial ruler of Buccaneer's Den. She traveled with my father on his quest to destroy the Guardian. She has bid me find my father's home, and learn what I can of my lost heritage. I was told you could direct me there."
Lord British just chuckled. "That is certainly the most elaborate story to date. Nevertheless, I will consult the Codex. It shall reveal the truth of your heritage. Come, we go now. Try any foolishness, and I will strike you down myself."
"Very well, my liege." Alex said, stepping near to British. British watched Alex closely as the boy unbuckled the sword that he carried, and presented it to him on bended knee.
"If it is of any solace, my liege, you may take my father's sword. It is the only weapon that I carry that has any true chance of inflicting harm." Alex said. He did not mention the daggers, but then he did not plan to use them either. It would serve no one if he were completely unarmed when danger presented itself.
Lord British could only smile as he took the sword, examining it carefully. It seemed to be the same sword that Kevin had ordered from the blacksmith in Trinsic. He pulled the blade, and gasped as he saw the runes etched upon the sword by each of the Shrines. It was truthfully Kevin's blade. Lord British looked at the boy kneeling before him, and started to believe. He turned the sword to Alex, hilt first, and held it in his field of vision.
"No, keep it. The Isle of the Avatar is a wild place, and you may well require a blade such as this. Come now, we shall use a special moongate." British said. Alex stood and took the blade, buckling the scabbard back to his belt. He followed British out of the castle, and around to the hedge maze on the western side. There, British preformed a short ritual, and a blue moongate opened. Both walked through, and found themselves near the Codex's cave on the Isle of the Avatar. They walked in, and British approached the book.
"What is your name, son?" British said, turning his head to look at Alex.
"Alexander Blackhall, my liege."
Lord British nodded, and turned back to the Codex.
"This man, Alexander Blackhall by name, claims to be the true son of the Avatar. Is this the truth?" British said, solemnly.
The book rose a few feet in the air and started turning pages quickly. After a few seconds, it stopped and retreated two pages, floating back down to its pedestal. The pages that shown held British's answer. British read aloud, his voice becoming a whisper as he progressed.
"The boy is indeed the Son of Virtue. His father was Kevin Blackhall, Avatar of Britannia; his mother, Raven Hawkings, daughter of Samhayne Hawkings, late unofficial ruler of Buccaneer's Den." British turned and looked at the boy, tears welling in his eyes.
"Forgive me, my boy, but there have been so many imposters that I had grown skeptical." British bowed before Alex, who blushed and helped the elder lord to stand. "It is truly an honor to meet the son, not only of Britannia's Savior, but also of a man I was honored and privileged to call friend."
"Please, my liege, don't. My father was not prideful enough to allow you to bow to him, and neither am I. I am the Son of Virtue, true. However, I am not ready for all of Britannia to know who I am. Please, keep my secret, and send me to Earth. I must see my father's home. I must discover the secrets that it holds. When I return, then the true battle starts."
"Battle, my boy? What battle?" British asked, perplexed at Alex's words.
Alex simply turned to the Codex. "The Guardian had an army, this much I know. I wish to know how large it is, where it is based, who leads it, and what their current activities are."
The Codex rose again, flipping pages quickly. It retreated only three pages as it floated back to its pedestal. Both read aloud, their blood chilled at the discovery.
"The Guardian has an enormous army. It numbers in the millions of men, based on over a dozen worlds. They travel through Black Gates, much the same as used by the Guardian to travel here. Once led by Mors Gotha, a powerful swordswoman, she was killed in combat with the Avatar in Castle British. The new leader is a man that claims to be her son, calling himself Aton Gotha. He is more skilled with a sword than his mother, and is equally skilled with bow, axe, and staff. He searches for a way to enter Britannia even now."
"By the Virtues. We would be overrun. It would be a slaughter." British exclaimed.
"Which is why time is of the essence. I must get to Earth immediately." Alex said.
"Very well. The only way to return to Earth is through the Ethereal Void. Come, we shall go now." British said as he walked out of the cave. Alex followed close behind, wary for danger. British opened yet another moongate with his ritual, and they stepped through into the Void.
They arrived near a circle of stones. Seven other circles almost identical to it helped to summon the moongates on the surface of Britannia. British walked up to the circle, and then turned to Alex. He held out his hand, in which lay a shiny stone about the size of a small orange. The stone was completely black, but shone as if wet. When it entered the circle, however, it started to glow dimly.
"This is one of three Orbs of the Moons that still exist. One is in my personal chambers; the other is encased in the museum. This one was your father's. To use it, you need simply place it on the ground, and think of where you wish to go. You then chant the mantra for the shrine nearest to where you want to go, and you will appear near that shrine. To get to Earth though is completely different. You must think clearly of your father, and then intone the mantras for the Principles of Love, Truth, and Courage. They are the same as Compassion, Honesty, and Valor. When spoken as a single word, a red moongate will appear, and it will lead to your father's home."
"Thank you, my liege." Alex said, bowing.
"Please, don't. Your father stood on that tradition stoically, saying that he was my chosen warrior. You are his son, and I will not allow you to claim that position. I need to fight for my kingdom. Please, call me by my given name. Richard."
Alex looked at British, astonished. He wondered just how much had happened between his father and British.
"Very well, Richard. I will return soon, hopefully with answers."
Alex walked to the center of the circle, and set the Orb on the ground. It started to glow faintly. Alex began thinking of all the legends of his father; of all the stories that his mother had told him. He thought of his dreams of what his father looked like, based on his mother's descriptions.
"Muahmra." Alex chanted with reverence, thinking finally of how much he wished to have met his father. The Orb glowed brightly, and a red moongate erupted from the ground, the Orb leaping back into his hands, warm to the touch. Alex looked back at Richard, and bowed slightly. British only smiled, and bowed back as Alex turned and walked through the moongate. Richard watched as the moongate disappeared, and then turned.
"Let us pray that you find what you are looking for, or all of Britannia may well fall under the shadow of the Guardian once more." British said as he performed his ritual once more, and returned to his castle.
Neither of them saw the spectral image of a man, clothed in light chain, standing nearby, watching, and listening to everything. He smiled and disappeared, the last thing to vanish being his tabard with its large golden ankh.
Chapter Two: Discovery
Alex walked to a nearby chair and sat, reeling from the news. His head spun with a thousand different questions, but none would surface long enough for his shocked consciousness to grasp. The realization, however, quickly manifested. It sent chills down his spine as he said the words.
"I'm the son of the Avatar. I am the Son of Virtue." He said solemnly, reverently, with growing pride. "But why didn't you ever tell me, mother? Why wait until now?"
"Because I had hoped to keep it a secret forever. Please understand, Alex. I fell in love with your father from the moment I first saw him in action. He surpassed the legends when seen in the flesh. I had expected to find a man whose exploits were exaggerated beyond all reality. When I saw Kevin, your father's given name, fight his way through Despise, I realized that the legends were mostly accurate. Sure, they've been stretched a little, but not as much as most would believe. When he left me to face the Guardian, my heart shattered. He didn't want to leave, he told me as much, but it was his responsibility to do so. After he disappeared, I couldn't help it. I broke down right there at the helm and cried. I cried for him, for my father, and even for myself. After a while, the tears stopped flowing, and I looked up. I saw Lord British's private ship sailing for the dock. I hopped to the deck, and the Golden Ankh slid next to the Hart, tying up securely. It wasn't long before the whole island started to rumble and quake. A brilliant beam of light erupted from the roof of the Guardian's Keep, and spread out along the sky, blanketing the world. From what I heard later, the columns were ripped from the ground, the damage they caused healed. I heard that the Shrines themselves glowed brightly for days afterwards, but were strangely silent during that time, even to devout meditation. LB and I walked into the Keep, the few Wyrmguard that still roamed quickly ran from us. We walked into the Guardian's throne room, and could only stare at the destruction. The Sigils were gone, and there was debris everywhere. That's when it really hit me that he was gone. I almost started bawling again right there. But then I saw a glimmer from a pile of rags. It was Kevin's ankh pendant. In fact, I wear the same one now. It was then that I decided to take Kevin's surname. It made me feel like he was still there with me. I left that isle and wandered around a bit. That's when I started feeling ill. At first, I thought it was just my sorrow, but it got so that I could not even eat. I sailed into Britain and saw the healers there. They told me that I was pregnant, and that it was going to be a boy. I stayed there for a few days, until the sickness passed, and then traveled again. I met with all of the companions, and learned about the Virtues that Kevin had upheld. All of the companions told me their stories, and stories of him that never made it into the history books. I spent about a month with each of them, learning all that I could. When it came time for you to be born, I headed for Britain. You were born a day earlier than expected, but were healthier than any other child they had ever seen. I never told anyone who the father was, only that he had died in service of the Virtues. I made one side trip on the way back here to the Den. With Lord British accompanying me, I traveled to the Shrine of Spirituality. LB stood near the moongate while I approached the shrine with you. I laid you on the shrine, knelt down, and called for Kevin to hear me. I made a vow that day, a vow that you would grow up to know the Virtues as he knew them. I also promised that, unless the need presented itself, you would never know who your father was. I left the shrine, and LB and I came back through the moongate. I traveled back here, and settled down to raise you. The rest, you know." Raven said, speaking evenly, her eyes sometimes staring at the phantoms that raced through her mind.
"But, why hide the truth of my birth from me? What reason could there have been to do that, mother?" Alex said, annoyance lacing his voice.
"Because the Guardian still has agents and warriors in Britannia, and has a large army somewhere among the worlds that he controlled. Kevin told me as much. Alex, you have been taught all that I know about sailing and fighting, along with the more mundane tasks that will nevertheless help you in your journeys. You are able to defend yourself, and defend others. Now it is time to leave. You must go see Lord British in his castle in Britain. He will know where Kevin's true homeworld is. You must go there and find your heritage. You must find the missing half of yourself there." Raven said, her eyes clouding with tears.
"My father's homeworld? But, I thought he was a Britannian, like you and me."
"No, my son, he was not. The companions told me that he was from a world known as Earth. Many of the companions are from there as well, but all of them have made Britannia their home. Lord British is also rumored to have come from Earth many years ago. He will know how to get back."
One of the men that had attacked Alex and Raven groaned and woke up. Alex walked over and lifted the man by the collar of the chainmail tunic he wore. Alex brought the man to eye-level, and spoke steadily, anger seething in his words.
"Alright, who are you, and what does this armor mean?"
"I am Garsten of the Wyrmguard, and this armor marks me as one of Blackthorn's personal guard, not that that means anything since that mewling despot British murdered him." The man said, snarling.
"Wyrmguard!?! I thought the companions had hunted them all down! Well, you three are going to know what it feels like to drown. I have no compassion for murderers such as you." Alex said, picking Garsten up over his head as he walked out the door. Alex threw the man over the railing, and Garsten rolled and bounced painfully down the cliff face, making a loud splash as he hit the water and sank like a stone. He walked back in, and looked at the other two.
"This armor may come in handy if I ever need to disguise myself. What do you think, mother?"
"Sounds like a plan. Nevertheless, do not kill them. Let Justice prevail over them. The one you threw over the cliff should pay the price for all of them." Raven said, walking over and putting a hand on her son's shoulder.
Alex grimaced, but nodded. He untied and took the armor off one of the men that was close to his size, and tied the man back up. He arranged the armor in a large sack, and tied it shut, putting the bag into a large backpack sitting against the wall. He walked to his mother, and gave her a goodbye hug. She shook her head.
"No, son, this is not goodbye. I am going to deliver these two to Yew, and then I'm going to do some traveling again. I will drop you off in Britain." Raven said, smiling.
"Thanks, mom. Shall we get going?"
"Yes, let's. The sooner you start on your quest, the sooner you will be ready for your destiny."
Alex shouldered the pack, and then crouched beside the men piling them across his shoulders like long logs, carrying them both slowly towards the Silver Hart. He dropped them below decks, and then came back up to stand near his mother. She nodded, a pair of dockhands threw the mooring lines back onto the Hart, and they were free to leave. She spun the wheel hard to port, away from the dock on her starboard side. Within moments, they were headed into the deep ocean, and turning north towards Britain.
"I didn't want to give you these things while we were at home, for fear that it might draw attention." Raven said as she picked up a small bundle and handed it to Alex. He took it reverently, knowing that it had been his father's.
He unwrapped the bundle, and gasped at the sight of the most magnificent sword that he had ever seen. It would easily cost a fortune to have one made, but he felt that this one was unique. He tucked the cloth into his belt, and drew the sword from its scabbard. It rang clear and true as metal slid along metal. Alex looked at the blade, and his jaw dropped. It was a Blackrock sword, one of the most expensive and deadly weapons in Britannia. Only the blacksmith in Trinsic had the knowledge and ability to forge one. This sword, though, was etched along the entire surface of the blade with strange runes. Alex looked at them intently, and they began to swim in his vision. Suddenly, he knew what they meant, how to pronounce their names, and how they were used. The runes on the blade spelled out the eight virtues, with the three principles of Truth, Love, and Courage etched into the hilt. Alex turned the blade repeatedly in his hands, admiring the detail and precision of the blade. He hooked the scabbard to his belt, and then sheathed the blade. He looked at his mother, and smiled.
"Thanks mom. Dad's sword will be put to good use again."
Raven stepped forward and reached up to her neck. She undid the locking link on the chain that held Kevin's ankh, and then placed it around Alex's neck. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a quick kiss.
"Take the ankh that your father wore. He will protect you through it, I know. I love you son." Raven said as tears filled her eyes once more.
"Thanks, mom. And don't cry. I will be back soon. And when I come back, the Guardian's lackeys had better watch out." Alex said with bravado.
Raven smiled and walked back to the helm, steering them towards Britain. In under an hour, they were beside the docks. Alex gave his mother a tender hug, and leapt nimbly to the dock below. He waved goodbye as she sailed away from the dock, and then sighed, feeling more alone than he had ever before in his life.
Alex walked through Britain, savoring the sights and smells of one of Britannia's capitol cities. The city of Compassion was huge compared to Buc's Den, and Alex felt a little intimidated. As he walked up the cobblestone path, a brigand emerged from the shadows, drawing a sword. Alex turned to face him. The brigand swung his sword, a cheap scimitar, and Alex dodged gracefully, swinging his fist around and catching the brigand in the back of the neck. The man fell to the cobblestones, unconscious. Alex left him where he lay, walking further into the city. He passed the armorer and bowyer, and walked beside the tavern. He passed by the gazebo that most of the citizens gathered at during the day to exchange gossip, and looked down the street. In the distance, Alex saw the castle of Lord British, and smiled. He walked towards the castle, but was stopped at the drawbridge by two knights. One walked up to him, brandishing his blade.
"Halt, who goes there? Be thee friend or foe?" the knight said boldly.
"I am a friend. My name is Alexander and I am here to see Lord British."
The knight looked him over skeptically, but stepped back. Alex walked across the drawbridge as the knight sheathed his blade. Alex walked into the castle itself, and was soon set upon by a slightly portly man.
"I am Pennington, Lord British's seneschal. Do you have business with my lord?" Pennington said.
"I am here to talk to him personally. Now, please move." Alex said brashly.
The man stepped back quickly, and Alex walked through the large double doors into the Throne Room. He saw Lord British sitting on his throne, and approached. He stopped at the foot of the throne, and bowed.
"My liege, I have come to speak with you." He said respectfully.
Lord British only chuckled. "Then, by all means, stand up and talk. I am not so proud as to stand on outdated customs. What did you need to speak about, son?"
"Can we speak in your study? This is a matter that I would rather not discuss in front of others." Alex said calmly.
"Of course we can, young man." Lord British led the way to his study, and closed the large doors. He then turned to Alex, and smiled.
"Now, what is so secret that you require that only I hear it?"
"My liege, I come before you to learn how to travel to Earth."
"Earth?" Lord British said, astonished. "Tell me, how did you learn of Earth, and why would you think that I would know anything about it?"
"Because my father was from Earth, and so are you, if the companions speak truth."
"Who was your father, boy? Are you another that claims to be heir to the Avatar's legacy?" Lord British said, irritated.
"Another, sire? How many have there been?" Alex gasped. He could not fathom why someone would lie about something so important.
"Oh, too many to count. All of them have come forward, saying that they can trace their family back, and include the Avatar somewhere in their family tree. All have been proven wrong."
"Sire, I know that this sounds like another hoax, but I am the son of Kevin Blackhall, Avatar of Britannia. My mother is Raven Blackhall, formerly Raven Hawkings, daughter of Samhayne Hawkings, the late unofficial ruler of Buccaneer's Den. She traveled with my father on his quest to destroy the Guardian. She has bid me find my father's home, and learn what I can of my lost heritage. I was told you could direct me there."
Lord British just chuckled. "That is certainly the most elaborate story to date. Nevertheless, I will consult the Codex. It shall reveal the truth of your heritage. Come, we go now. Try any foolishness, and I will strike you down myself."
"Very well, my liege." Alex said, stepping near to British. British watched Alex closely as the boy unbuckled the sword that he carried, and presented it to him on bended knee.
"If it is of any solace, my liege, you may take my father's sword. It is the only weapon that I carry that has any true chance of inflicting harm." Alex said. He did not mention the daggers, but then he did not plan to use them either. It would serve no one if he were completely unarmed when danger presented itself.
Lord British could only smile as he took the sword, examining it carefully. It seemed to be the same sword that Kevin had ordered from the blacksmith in Trinsic. He pulled the blade, and gasped as he saw the runes etched upon the sword by each of the Shrines. It was truthfully Kevin's blade. Lord British looked at the boy kneeling before him, and started to believe. He turned the sword to Alex, hilt first, and held it in his field of vision.
"No, keep it. The Isle of the Avatar is a wild place, and you may well require a blade such as this. Come now, we shall use a special moongate." British said. Alex stood and took the blade, buckling the scabbard back to his belt. He followed British out of the castle, and around to the hedge maze on the western side. There, British preformed a short ritual, and a blue moongate opened. Both walked through, and found themselves near the Codex's cave on the Isle of the Avatar. They walked in, and British approached the book.
"What is your name, son?" British said, turning his head to look at Alex.
"Alexander Blackhall, my liege."
Lord British nodded, and turned back to the Codex.
"This man, Alexander Blackhall by name, claims to be the true son of the Avatar. Is this the truth?" British said, solemnly.
The book rose a few feet in the air and started turning pages quickly. After a few seconds, it stopped and retreated two pages, floating back down to its pedestal. The pages that shown held British's answer. British read aloud, his voice becoming a whisper as he progressed.
"The boy is indeed the Son of Virtue. His father was Kevin Blackhall, Avatar of Britannia; his mother, Raven Hawkings, daughter of Samhayne Hawkings, late unofficial ruler of Buccaneer's Den." British turned and looked at the boy, tears welling in his eyes.
"Forgive me, my boy, but there have been so many imposters that I had grown skeptical." British bowed before Alex, who blushed and helped the elder lord to stand. "It is truly an honor to meet the son, not only of Britannia's Savior, but also of a man I was honored and privileged to call friend."
"Please, my liege, don't. My father was not prideful enough to allow you to bow to him, and neither am I. I am the Son of Virtue, true. However, I am not ready for all of Britannia to know who I am. Please, keep my secret, and send me to Earth. I must see my father's home. I must discover the secrets that it holds. When I return, then the true battle starts."
"Battle, my boy? What battle?" British asked, perplexed at Alex's words.
Alex simply turned to the Codex. "The Guardian had an army, this much I know. I wish to know how large it is, where it is based, who leads it, and what their current activities are."
The Codex rose again, flipping pages quickly. It retreated only three pages as it floated back to its pedestal. Both read aloud, their blood chilled at the discovery.
"The Guardian has an enormous army. It numbers in the millions of men, based on over a dozen worlds. They travel through Black Gates, much the same as used by the Guardian to travel here. Once led by Mors Gotha, a powerful swordswoman, she was killed in combat with the Avatar in Castle British. The new leader is a man that claims to be her son, calling himself Aton Gotha. He is more skilled with a sword than his mother, and is equally skilled with bow, axe, and staff. He searches for a way to enter Britannia even now."
"By the Virtues. We would be overrun. It would be a slaughter." British exclaimed.
"Which is why time is of the essence. I must get to Earth immediately." Alex said.
"Very well. The only way to return to Earth is through the Ethereal Void. Come, we shall go now." British said as he walked out of the cave. Alex followed close behind, wary for danger. British opened yet another moongate with his ritual, and they stepped through into the Void.
They arrived near a circle of stones. Seven other circles almost identical to it helped to summon the moongates on the surface of Britannia. British walked up to the circle, and then turned to Alex. He held out his hand, in which lay a shiny stone about the size of a small orange. The stone was completely black, but shone as if wet. When it entered the circle, however, it started to glow dimly.
"This is one of three Orbs of the Moons that still exist. One is in my personal chambers; the other is encased in the museum. This one was your father's. To use it, you need simply place it on the ground, and think of where you wish to go. You then chant the mantra for the shrine nearest to where you want to go, and you will appear near that shrine. To get to Earth though is completely different. You must think clearly of your father, and then intone the mantras for the Principles of Love, Truth, and Courage. They are the same as Compassion, Honesty, and Valor. When spoken as a single word, a red moongate will appear, and it will lead to your father's home."
"Thank you, my liege." Alex said, bowing.
"Please, don't. Your father stood on that tradition stoically, saying that he was my chosen warrior. You are his son, and I will not allow you to claim that position. I need to fight for my kingdom. Please, call me by my given name. Richard."
Alex looked at British, astonished. He wondered just how much had happened between his father and British.
"Very well, Richard. I will return soon, hopefully with answers."
Alex walked to the center of the circle, and set the Orb on the ground. It started to glow faintly. Alex began thinking of all the legends of his father; of all the stories that his mother had told him. He thought of his dreams of what his father looked like, based on his mother's descriptions.
"Muahmra." Alex chanted with reverence, thinking finally of how much he wished to have met his father. The Orb glowed brightly, and a red moongate erupted from the ground, the Orb leaping back into his hands, warm to the touch. Alex looked back at Richard, and bowed slightly. British only smiled, and bowed back as Alex turned and walked through the moongate. Richard watched as the moongate disappeared, and then turned.
"Let us pray that you find what you are looking for, or all of Britannia may well fall under the shadow of the Guardian once more." British said as he performed his ritual once more, and returned to his castle.
Neither of them saw the spectral image of a man, clothed in light chain, standing nearby, watching, and listening to everything. He smiled and disappeared, the last thing to vanish being his tabard with its large golden ankh.
