Chapter 31
Images flashed through Tal's mind. They rushed past him in a blur. Tal saw them as if he were an outsider viewing them. Then they slowed down enough for Tal to take glimpses of them. He saw a man, a Chosen, running down a Castle corridor and into the arms of a wild looking woman.
"What?" Tal said confused as he watched the image play out.
Then all of a sudden he was pulled into the image! Colours swirled around him like a rainbow tornado and picked him up swirling him around in its fury then Tal was dropped and the tornado disappeared. He looked around and saw the man he was watching before. He was dressed in Emperor robes and he was hugging a woman with ashen blonde hair who was wearing silver furs. Tal looked away from the couple in embarrassment as he realised he was staring at the two strangers share a passionate moment. Tal let them be and looked around at his surroundings. It looked like the hall of Greeting and Farewell. The golden mirrors and torches gave it away almost immediately. Tal sighed and knew he was somewhere in his own mind. A place where no one knew where he was therefore couldn't help him. Tal sighed and decided he was the only one who could get him out of this.
"My love, I have waited so long for this moment," the Icecarl woman said making Tal turn to listen.
"I have also waited and now we can proclaim our love to both our people," the Chosen man said moving towards the steps that lead the way back into the Castle with the woman on his arm.
As they walked slowly Tal followed behind them not worried if they noticed him because he knew he really wasn't there.
"My love we have so little time to make this love of ours known before we have to rebuild what Skerrakor has destroyed," the Icecarl said worriedly.
"Don't worry Danir; we will proclaim it as soon as everyone is gathered,"
"What? What did you say her name was?" Tal said walking through the couple, literally, to face them,"
"Ramellean, I fear we will not gather enough people before we must part. So I need to give you this," Danir said removing on of her clear crystal talons and handed it over to Ramellean.
"Ramellean!? Emperor Ramellean of a thousand years ago?" Tal asked taken aback.
"Thank you, now I'll give you something," Ramellean said and flicked his sunstone over Danir's talon and then his, making a violet light wash over them.
The talons that were clear became violet. As the light retracted back into the sunstone, (which looked exactly like Tal's keystone), it left sunstone flecks inside it that glowed briefly before dimming. Tal stared as the couple hugged and left for the violet tower.
"You must be Tal," said a voice behind him.
Tal spun to see the man he had just seen speaking to him as if he was real. Tal shook his head in disbelief and stared blankly at his dead Emperor.
"I know you're stunned, let's get past that shall we?" he said amused at Tal's shock.
Tal didn't know what to say so he bowed and got on one knee.
"Emperor Ramellean," Tal said and offered light.
"Get up boy, no need to give light to a dead Emperor," Ramellean said and hoisted Tal up.
Tal was shocked to find the man had been able to grip him even though this was a dream of some sort.
"You are real?" Tal said stunned.
"As real as you want me to be," Ramellean replied waving a hand dismissively as if it wasn't important.
Tal recovered from his shock and thought of what was happening and suddenly became excited.
"Wow! You're really Emperor Ramellean! I don't believe this; wait until Ebbitt hears about this!" Tal said excitement twinkling in his eyes.
"Yes we've established who I am, let's move on to more pressing issues," Ramellean said dousing the boys excitement.
"Right," Tal said getting serious again but inside he was ecstatic.
"You have just witnessed one of my most personal memories with my on true lover, Danir, whom I believe you already know of so let's pass this stage and do what we came here to do," Ramellean said almost forcefully as if speaking to Tal was unnerving.
"What exactly are we here to do?" Tal asked confused.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ramellean replied raising an eyebrow.
Tal shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
"Really? I thought my descendants would have more wit," the former Emperor said jokingly.
"What?! I'm one of your descendants?" Tal said taking the shock.
"You have to be if you have just seen my most precious memory," he replied.
"Okay now let me get this straight; I'm one of your descendants?" Tal said still trying to digest the information.
"You said it boy. Now I must really get to the point before we have a family reunion. I was called here to help you realise the truth of your love for Milla. . . that is her name correct?" Ramellean asked raising an eyebrow.
Tal chuckled silently then laughed out right.
"What's so funny?" Ramellean asked.
"I'm getting love advice from my most famous ancestor," Tal laughed.
"Really now I wasn't that famous. I only helped the three Icecarls bind Skerrakor. Which one of us helped destroy it?" Ramellean asked putting things into perspective.
Tal's smile disappeared as he thought back to the day Crow put his life on the line and suddenly nothing seemed funny anymore. Then an idea came to him.
"Have you seen Crow?" Tal asked hoping to speak with his dead friend.
"Now is not the time, Tal," Ramellean said trying to get back to the point of the meeting.
"Yeah I guess so but even though you're here I have no need for your help. I know how I feel about Milla," Tal said dismissively.
"Do you?" Ramellean questioned.
"Yes and there is nothing you or anyone else can say or do that can make me change my feelings for her so you can stop instilling doubt into me," Tal said in a clear voice that ringed with finality.
Ramellean then smiled as if that was what he wanted to hear.
"Good to hear, Tal you are truly my descendant and I am proud to call you family," he said and draped his arm around Tal's shoulders and ruffled his hair then he lead Tal into a portal that appeared in front of them.
"Distant family but family nonetheless," Tal said with a grin.
Ramellean smiled and hopped into the portal.
"Well then in trust as new found relatives come with me back to the dark world," Ramellean said extending a hand.
Tal smiled and gripped it.
"Anything you say great grandfather," Tal said raising a laugh from Ramellean.
Tal stepped through and was instantly transported back into his body. His eyes snapped open and he saw Milla shaking him. Tal was about to speak to her when he heard Ramellean speak to him.
"With your permission," Ramellean said apologetically.
Tal lifted his hands to Milla's face unwillingly and kissed her. Milla was shocked at his sudden actions but didn't resist as he quickly pulled away.
"Danir I love you," Tal said then he slumped once again.
"Tal?" Milla asked worried when he didn't get up.
Tal opened his eyes at the mention of his name and smiled.
"Yes Milla I'm here," he said sitting up.
Milla sighed and put a hand up to Tal's cheek and stroked it in relief. Touching Tal was the only thing that reassured her of his presence so she stood next to him holding his hand. Tal rose to his feet with Milla's help and surveyed the now still scene. Then once again the old Crone came into view and spoke.
"The Emperor has also chosen, the first trail is complete," she said as cheers and applause erupted through the crowd.
Tal and Milla shared a look.
"This is crazy," Tal said close to her ear.
"I agree but it is for the best," Milla said squeezing Tal's hand affectionately.
Tal smiled at her affection making Milla feel secure once again. Then he addressed the Crone.
"What is the next trial?" Tal asked.
"The caves," she replied and motioned the two to move into the ruins.
They moved as instructed and faced the crowd still holding onto each other. The Crones, five in all, stepped in with them also, as well as a few shield maidens. When everyone one was finally in the ruins, the Crones whistled and a light erupted from the smooth stone floor. Tal squinted as the sudden light stung his eyes then as his eyes adjusted he saw the light's source. The outline Tal had traced earlier was now shining and Tal could see the image clearly. It was a picture of an intricately drawn heart. The heart had wings on one side and a pair of scales on the other. They were intricately woven together to form a beautiful picture. Tal stared at the picture with interest but soon found himself being tugged at.
"Tal let's go," Milla said tugging him along.
Tal looked up and found himself staring at two cave entrances with everyone in front of them. Tal smiled sheepishly and moved out of the ruins.
"What just happened?" Tal whispered to Milla.
"We moved quickly to this place on that platform by magic," Milla replied.
Tal nodded as they approached the crowd of Crones. When Tal and Milla stepped into the center of the crowd a Crone stepped out and announced the next task for to the crowd.
"The next test is a test of proof," the young Crone said then looking at Tal "The Icecarl way,"
"Great. . .this means fighting," Tal thought tiredly.
"Tradition is tradition and it will not be broken," the Crone said noting Tal's expression.
"To help with the trials," the Crone said talking to the crowd again "It is the right for the trial takers to invoke a spirit of a past ancestor," the Crone turned to Milla and Tal; and then said in a loud voice "Choose wisely,"
Milla seemed confident enough and seemed ready to answer. Tal had an inkling of an idea of what the Crone meant but couldn't be sure. Milla noticed the thin veil of confusion on Tal's and stepped forward.
"I summon my great ancestor Danir!" Milla said strongly then placed a hand over her heart.
"Whom do you wish to be your ancestor's carrier?" the young Crone asked.
Milla walked over to a shield maiden whom Tal was surprised to learn was Wraith.
"How did she get here?" Tal thought "I thought she would still be with the Crone she was guarding,"
Just then Tal saw the Far Raiders Crone with Wraith and Rallen standing next to her. Tal slapped himself mentally for not noticing them before. . .but then again a lot had happened to him during the day's events and one could only take so many surprises. Tal looked for the third bodyguard, Corin, but couldn't see him anywhere.
"I choose you, Wraith, do you accept?" Milla asked stoically.
"I do," Wraith said solemnly.
They nodded at each other and Wraith was led to the center of the circle by a couple of Crones who seemed to lull her into a trance as they held her hands. Tal watched as Wraith stood to his side and was facing the crowd. The serenity of the scene bore into Tal's head as it disrupted his forced calm with its own natural aura. The crowd stood expectantly at Tal as if he was meant to say or do something so Tal took a leaf from Milla's book and called up his nearest relative he recently met.
"I summon my great ancestor Ramellean. . . I think," Tal said starting off strong but ending in flames.
"Who will you choose to carry your ancestor?" A Crone asked slightly annoyed at Tal's lack of discipline but he was new to this so the Crone couldn't get exactly mad.
Tal walked and surveyed the crowd and knew he had only had one choice and that choice was Rallen. He was the only other man there and Rallen knew he was going to be picked as Tal neared him. Rallen sized Tal up and made up his mind to help the tyke. For that was what Tal was to Rallen a poor confused child.
"I choose, Rallen, will you accept?" Tal asked hoping for Rallen to say yes.
Images flashed through Tal's mind. They rushed past him in a blur. Tal saw them as if he were an outsider viewing them. Then they slowed down enough for Tal to take glimpses of them. He saw a man, a Chosen, running down a Castle corridor and into the arms of a wild looking woman.
"What?" Tal said confused as he watched the image play out.
Then all of a sudden he was pulled into the image! Colours swirled around him like a rainbow tornado and picked him up swirling him around in its fury then Tal was dropped and the tornado disappeared. He looked around and saw the man he was watching before. He was dressed in Emperor robes and he was hugging a woman with ashen blonde hair who was wearing silver furs. Tal looked away from the couple in embarrassment as he realised he was staring at the two strangers share a passionate moment. Tal let them be and looked around at his surroundings. It looked like the hall of Greeting and Farewell. The golden mirrors and torches gave it away almost immediately. Tal sighed and knew he was somewhere in his own mind. A place where no one knew where he was therefore couldn't help him. Tal sighed and decided he was the only one who could get him out of this.
"My love, I have waited so long for this moment," the Icecarl woman said making Tal turn to listen.
"I have also waited and now we can proclaim our love to both our people," the Chosen man said moving towards the steps that lead the way back into the Castle with the woman on his arm.
As they walked slowly Tal followed behind them not worried if they noticed him because he knew he really wasn't there.
"My love we have so little time to make this love of ours known before we have to rebuild what Skerrakor has destroyed," the Icecarl said worriedly.
"Don't worry Danir; we will proclaim it as soon as everyone is gathered,"
"What? What did you say her name was?" Tal said walking through the couple, literally, to face them,"
"Ramellean, I fear we will not gather enough people before we must part. So I need to give you this," Danir said removing on of her clear crystal talons and handed it over to Ramellean.
"Ramellean!? Emperor Ramellean of a thousand years ago?" Tal asked taken aback.
"Thank you, now I'll give you something," Ramellean said and flicked his sunstone over Danir's talon and then his, making a violet light wash over them.
The talons that were clear became violet. As the light retracted back into the sunstone, (which looked exactly like Tal's keystone), it left sunstone flecks inside it that glowed briefly before dimming. Tal stared as the couple hugged and left for the violet tower.
"You must be Tal," said a voice behind him.
Tal spun to see the man he had just seen speaking to him as if he was real. Tal shook his head in disbelief and stared blankly at his dead Emperor.
"I know you're stunned, let's get past that shall we?" he said amused at Tal's shock.
Tal didn't know what to say so he bowed and got on one knee.
"Emperor Ramellean," Tal said and offered light.
"Get up boy, no need to give light to a dead Emperor," Ramellean said and hoisted Tal up.
Tal was shocked to find the man had been able to grip him even though this was a dream of some sort.
"You are real?" Tal said stunned.
"As real as you want me to be," Ramellean replied waving a hand dismissively as if it wasn't important.
Tal recovered from his shock and thought of what was happening and suddenly became excited.
"Wow! You're really Emperor Ramellean! I don't believe this; wait until Ebbitt hears about this!" Tal said excitement twinkling in his eyes.
"Yes we've established who I am, let's move on to more pressing issues," Ramellean said dousing the boys excitement.
"Right," Tal said getting serious again but inside he was ecstatic.
"You have just witnessed one of my most personal memories with my on true lover, Danir, whom I believe you already know of so let's pass this stage and do what we came here to do," Ramellean said almost forcefully as if speaking to Tal was unnerving.
"What exactly are we here to do?" Tal asked confused.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ramellean replied raising an eyebrow.
Tal shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
"Really? I thought my descendants would have more wit," the former Emperor said jokingly.
"What?! I'm one of your descendants?" Tal said taking the shock.
"You have to be if you have just seen my most precious memory," he replied.
"Okay now let me get this straight; I'm one of your descendants?" Tal said still trying to digest the information.
"You said it boy. Now I must really get to the point before we have a family reunion. I was called here to help you realise the truth of your love for Milla. . . that is her name correct?" Ramellean asked raising an eyebrow.
Tal chuckled silently then laughed out right.
"What's so funny?" Ramellean asked.
"I'm getting love advice from my most famous ancestor," Tal laughed.
"Really now I wasn't that famous. I only helped the three Icecarls bind Skerrakor. Which one of us helped destroy it?" Ramellean asked putting things into perspective.
Tal's smile disappeared as he thought back to the day Crow put his life on the line and suddenly nothing seemed funny anymore. Then an idea came to him.
"Have you seen Crow?" Tal asked hoping to speak with his dead friend.
"Now is not the time, Tal," Ramellean said trying to get back to the point of the meeting.
"Yeah I guess so but even though you're here I have no need for your help. I know how I feel about Milla," Tal said dismissively.
"Do you?" Ramellean questioned.
"Yes and there is nothing you or anyone else can say or do that can make me change my feelings for her so you can stop instilling doubt into me," Tal said in a clear voice that ringed with finality.
Ramellean then smiled as if that was what he wanted to hear.
"Good to hear, Tal you are truly my descendant and I am proud to call you family," he said and draped his arm around Tal's shoulders and ruffled his hair then he lead Tal into a portal that appeared in front of them.
"Distant family but family nonetheless," Tal said with a grin.
Ramellean smiled and hopped into the portal.
"Well then in trust as new found relatives come with me back to the dark world," Ramellean said extending a hand.
Tal smiled and gripped it.
"Anything you say great grandfather," Tal said raising a laugh from Ramellean.
Tal stepped through and was instantly transported back into his body. His eyes snapped open and he saw Milla shaking him. Tal was about to speak to her when he heard Ramellean speak to him.
"With your permission," Ramellean said apologetically.
Tal lifted his hands to Milla's face unwillingly and kissed her. Milla was shocked at his sudden actions but didn't resist as he quickly pulled away.
"Danir I love you," Tal said then he slumped once again.
"Tal?" Milla asked worried when he didn't get up.
Tal opened his eyes at the mention of his name and smiled.
"Yes Milla I'm here," he said sitting up.
Milla sighed and put a hand up to Tal's cheek and stroked it in relief. Touching Tal was the only thing that reassured her of his presence so she stood next to him holding his hand. Tal rose to his feet with Milla's help and surveyed the now still scene. Then once again the old Crone came into view and spoke.
"The Emperor has also chosen, the first trail is complete," she said as cheers and applause erupted through the crowd.
Tal and Milla shared a look.
"This is crazy," Tal said close to her ear.
"I agree but it is for the best," Milla said squeezing Tal's hand affectionately.
Tal smiled at her affection making Milla feel secure once again. Then he addressed the Crone.
"What is the next trial?" Tal asked.
"The caves," she replied and motioned the two to move into the ruins.
They moved as instructed and faced the crowd still holding onto each other. The Crones, five in all, stepped in with them also, as well as a few shield maidens. When everyone one was finally in the ruins, the Crones whistled and a light erupted from the smooth stone floor. Tal squinted as the sudden light stung his eyes then as his eyes adjusted he saw the light's source. The outline Tal had traced earlier was now shining and Tal could see the image clearly. It was a picture of an intricately drawn heart. The heart had wings on one side and a pair of scales on the other. They were intricately woven together to form a beautiful picture. Tal stared at the picture with interest but soon found himself being tugged at.
"Tal let's go," Milla said tugging him along.
Tal looked up and found himself staring at two cave entrances with everyone in front of them. Tal smiled sheepishly and moved out of the ruins.
"What just happened?" Tal whispered to Milla.
"We moved quickly to this place on that platform by magic," Milla replied.
Tal nodded as they approached the crowd of Crones. When Tal and Milla stepped into the center of the crowd a Crone stepped out and announced the next task for to the crowd.
"The next test is a test of proof," the young Crone said then looking at Tal "The Icecarl way,"
"Great. . .this means fighting," Tal thought tiredly.
"Tradition is tradition and it will not be broken," the Crone said noting Tal's expression.
"To help with the trials," the Crone said talking to the crowd again "It is the right for the trial takers to invoke a spirit of a past ancestor," the Crone turned to Milla and Tal; and then said in a loud voice "Choose wisely,"
Milla seemed confident enough and seemed ready to answer. Tal had an inkling of an idea of what the Crone meant but couldn't be sure. Milla noticed the thin veil of confusion on Tal's and stepped forward.
"I summon my great ancestor Danir!" Milla said strongly then placed a hand over her heart.
"Whom do you wish to be your ancestor's carrier?" the young Crone asked.
Milla walked over to a shield maiden whom Tal was surprised to learn was Wraith.
"How did she get here?" Tal thought "I thought she would still be with the Crone she was guarding,"
Just then Tal saw the Far Raiders Crone with Wraith and Rallen standing next to her. Tal slapped himself mentally for not noticing them before. . .but then again a lot had happened to him during the day's events and one could only take so many surprises. Tal looked for the third bodyguard, Corin, but couldn't see him anywhere.
"I choose you, Wraith, do you accept?" Milla asked stoically.
"I do," Wraith said solemnly.
They nodded at each other and Wraith was led to the center of the circle by a couple of Crones who seemed to lull her into a trance as they held her hands. Tal watched as Wraith stood to his side and was facing the crowd. The serenity of the scene bore into Tal's head as it disrupted his forced calm with its own natural aura. The crowd stood expectantly at Tal as if he was meant to say or do something so Tal took a leaf from Milla's book and called up his nearest relative he recently met.
"I summon my great ancestor Ramellean. . . I think," Tal said starting off strong but ending in flames.
"Who will you choose to carry your ancestor?" A Crone asked slightly annoyed at Tal's lack of discipline but he was new to this so the Crone couldn't get exactly mad.
Tal walked and surveyed the crowd and knew he had only had one choice and that choice was Rallen. He was the only other man there and Rallen knew he was going to be picked as Tal neared him. Rallen sized Tal up and made up his mind to help the tyke. For that was what Tal was to Rallen a poor confused child.
"I choose, Rallen, will you accept?" Tal asked hoping for Rallen to say yes.