Disclaimer: see previous chapters
Author's Note: Yes I know I have been really really really bad about keeping this fanfic up and posting rapidly and such. That should change now that I am finally free of school *cough*prison*cough*. ANYWAYS, as a bonus to all you faithful readers that I'm hoping I still have, I'm posting not one, but TWO chapters today! The song in the middle of this chapter is Paint the Sky with Stars by Enya. Very good artist, strongly recommend her music. PLEASE REVIEW! That will become an order if the request is not fulfilled!
The Hadeshorn
The mountains speared into the gray morass of sky, forming an unbroken chain of peaks as far as the eye could see. Trees blanketed the lower slopes, evergreens and others just growing in their spring leaves. A few creeks could be seen at intervals tumbling headlong down the steep mountainsides to the foothills in misty white streams. Erin stood at the top of a rise and gazed with wonder and joy upon the mountains, wonder at their majesty and beauty, and joy to know that she would be safely under the shade of their forested slopes before the day was done. She had always loved the mountains, but she'd definitely never had the opportunity to experience them quite like she would during the next few weeks. Certainly, she had hiked in them on vacations, but those were day hikes, and she'd never camped in them. Two and a half weeks had passed since they left behind the small cottages of Storlock, and Allanon had pushed them hard every day of it. Erin figured that, with the distances they had been traveling, these mountains could only be the Rockies, though she couldn't know for sure without a map.
Erin's gaze roved further up the mountainsides towering before her, and she was reminded why this leg of the journey would not be a stroll in the woods. Snow crowned the highest peaks, where it would cling for many more weeks before the heat of summer drove it from the mountains in torrents of icy water. For now, it was still early March, and snowstorms were a possibility that could not be prudently ignored. Nonetheless, they were as prepared as any man could be and couldn't avoid the mountains if they were to reach the Skull Kingdom in time.
Erin was shaken out of her musings by the sound of swords ringing against each other. Fearing the worst, she whirled and looked down on last night's camp, but there was nothing amiss. The twins had merely decided to practice their swordwork a bit early. Erin let them continue for a few minutes, watching critically from above as they clumsily parried and attacked. They had only been learning for two and a half weeks, after all, so not much could be expected of them. And considering the circumstances, they were doing admirably well.
Eventually Erin started down the hill, still keeping her attention on the twins as she descended into the clearing. Adrienne and Sarah sat nearby, stretching and warming up for the sword lessons which Erin was about to begin. As she neared the bottom of the rise, she called out, "All right, all right, that's enough for now you two. Sit down and rest for a minute. Sarah and Adrienne, you two ready?" Sarah groaned in reply, obviously not too pleased with the idea, but Adrienne leaped up eagerly. "Let's get started!" she exclaimed, drawing her short sword and charging straight for Erin.
Erin danced nimbly out of the way, drawing her own short sword and calling, "Good idea Adrienne, trying to surprise me. You're not going to surprise a defeat out of me though!" Adrienne mock-growled, "We'll see about that!" and dropped into the readied crouch Erin had taught her. Erin smiled with approval, falling into her own position and beginning to circle.
Adrienne followed her lead, her footwork a perfect copy of Erin's. "Remember," Erin said, "just let yourself go. Make your sword an extension of yourself, and don't worry about anything except evading my attack and staging your own. Keep your movements fluid and continuous." Adrienne nodded, but before she had finished the nod Erin was leaping towards her, sword outstretched. Adrienne twisted, bringing her sword around to meet Erin's in a musical clang she had become very familiar with during these last couple weeks. Erin disengaged and struck low, but Adrienne brought her own sword down and around to the right in a circle that diverted Erin's attack. "Good, good!" Erin exclaimed, though she did not halt her advance, continuing the circular movement of her sword to slap Adrienne's left arm. Adrienne made a little sound of pain, having already been hit there several times in the past few days. Next thing she knew the wind was knocked out of her as Erin kicked her legs out from under her, landing her flat on her back on the hard ground.
"Ow." Adrienne declared, lying there regaining her breath. Erin stood over her, saying only, "Told you so. But good job nonetheless. You're improving." before offering a hand to her friend. "Thanks." Adrienne grunted as Erin pulled her to her feet. She stretched a little to ease the pain before retorting, "You may have defeated me this time, Erin, but you will not fare so well next time!" Erin just raised an eyebrow, and then they both burst into laughter. Once their mirth had ceased Adrienne asked, "So, what did I do wrong?"
Erin smiled. "You were doing good until you allowed the slap on your arm to distract you. What you should have done then was jump back out of reach where you could reevaluate and decide your next course of attack."
Adrienne nodded, replaying the spar in her mind and seeing the logic of Erin's statement. She turned a pleading glance upon Erin. "I wouldn't have been so distracted by the pain in my arm if I hadn't been hit there ten times in the past week. That bruise there just keeps getting worse, you know. Could you stop hitting me there?"
Erin laughed a little. "I'm sorry. I'll try not to hit your bruise. It's just you've got so many now it's impossible to avoid hitting them!"
They both chuckled, and Erin called, "Get up here, Sarah, you haven't had your chance yet!"
"I think I could do without for one practice," she groaned, but she got up anyways and shook herself out before dropping into a readied crouch. "All right, let's get this over with."
"Well, if that's how you want to do it…" Erin replied with a fierce grin. "I didn't think you wanted any more bruises, but perhaps I was mistaken…"
"Oh no really, I'll try!" Sarah exclaimed, following suit as Erin began to circle. She caught a quick glimpse of Allanon watching the two of them, but before she could get a better look, Erin charged her exactly as she had attacked Adrienne. Sarah, however, did not agilely leap out of the way. She waited until Erin was close, then crouched even closer to the ground, until she was well below the level of Erin's sword. She shot her left foot right into Erin's left knee, then brought her right foot around to knock Erin's knees out from under her. However Erin jumped, anticipating this, and Sarah missed Erin by millimeters. Sarah rolled to her feet in an attempt to save herself from the inevitable defeat, but Erin was already up and quickly pinned her.
"Over, and not a single new bruise, right?" Erin asked with a grin.
"We'll see," mumbled Sarah dispiritedly as Erin helped her up.
"You almost had me there," Erin said with warm approval. "Good trick. I've no doubt you will be a talented swordswoman. If I hadn't jumped, you would have been helping me off the ground, and with a bruised back to boot."
"I know that," Sarah said with a grimace. "But you did jump. How am I supposed to avoid getting killed if that happens in real battle?"
"Whoa, whoa, getting a little ahead of ourselves there, aren't we?" Erin replied with raised eyebrow. "If all goes well you won't need these skills for a couple more months. The only evil creatures we should be seeing out here are Skull Bearers, and not even the best swordsman in the history of the world could vanquish one of those without the aid of magic. That's why we've got Allanon along. You don't need to worry about battle for a while yet." Sarah nodded, seeming slightly relieved. Apparently, she had thought they'd be running into patrols or something that she would have to help dispose of. But unless Allanon wasn't telling her something, Erin figured she had a couple of months before they were close enough to encounter patrols or other hostile parties. "Now, to answer your question, you tried to do the right thing, you just weren't fast enough. Rolling away might have been more successful if you'd waved your sword around a little to scare me off while you regained your feet. You could also have rolled forward, sword-first, and got me in the legs."
Sarah nodded again, going through the spar in her memory just as Adrienne had. "I see what you mean." she replied, then went and sat down next to the resting Adrienne.
Erin turned to the twins. "Which one of you wants to be up next?"
Before they could reply, however, Allanon's deep voice rumbled across the clearing. "I'm afraid we haven't time for the twins to spar, Erin. We need to get going now, or we won't reach our camp by nightfall."
Erin nodded, turning. "Sounds good. Everybody mount up! Lesson's over for now!" Everyone groaned at the words "for now", but they all complied and soon were trotting out of camp.
* * *
By afternoon, the sun had broken through the quickly-dissipating clouds, and was peeping through the branches beneath which the party now rode. Erin spared only enough attention to her horse to keep the animal on the right track. The rest of the time, she was busy admiring the breathtaking scenery through which they were traveling. Everything was so green, it was almost unreal. They saw a few small animals and one black bear, though it was far enough off that it didn't frighten the horses. Towards evening, Erin knew, they would start seeing some deer and other animals, and that was when Erin planned to catch their dinner.
They had reached the mountains around lunchtime, eating in their saddles and reveling in the cool shade. After that they had continued on, winding higher and higher into the mountains. Only Allanon knew where they were going, so he rode first, and Erin rode rearguard as usual. From this position, she caught some spectacular views that made her wish fervently she had a camera with her. After a few hours of climbing, looking down on the foothills and plains below was like seeing it from an airplane. It was all laid out below her like a map, the roads criss-crossing the brown-green fields and rolling foothills, spotted with budding trees and creased with small rivers and creeks that ended in tranquil ponds rimmed with reeds. The party forded their share of babbling brooks and chuckling creeks, some of which even had sparkling fish leaping in them. Several times they passed above or within picturesque valleys rimmed with snow-crowned mountains, rivers winding through their floor like diamond-scaled snakes.
As evening fell, Erin began to notice that the trees were thinning out, looking less healthy; and just as the sun was about to drop behind the mountains, the companions were given their first glimpse of the Hadeshorn. The sides of this valley, unlike those of the other valleys they had passed through, were made of sharp obsidian that reflected the red glare of the sun like blood-colored glass. The walls led steeply down to the valley floor, most of which was taken up by a huge black lake: the Hadeshorn. The lake was like a bottomless pit, a black abyss that swallowed all light about it; it did not reflect the dying sun. The air of the place was silent, windless, as if the whole valley knew what was to happen this night and was holding its breath in anticipation. It felt stifling and humid, though the air was cold. No snow had fallen here, nor would it ever. It was the type of place one would expect a summoning of the dead to occur.
Everyone spoke in whispers if they spoke at all, as if anything louder might call the spirits before Allanon was ready. Erin, who had slipped away after they arrived to hunt for dinner, was back with a fat deer. Tonight, Allanon sat with them and ate, rather than stalking off as soon as they stopped for camp like usual. They soon found out why.
"Tonight, as you know, I am going to summon the spirits of the dead," he began once most of them were finished with their meal. "I will do so in the last hour before dawn. While I am speaking with the spirits, you must stay here. I do not know what would happen if you came down and interrupted a summoning, but I do know that these valley sides are covered in sharp rock that would be hard to avoid if you descended incautiously in the dark. No matter what happens, you are to stay here until I return. " Everyone nodded their assent, their faces so grave they seemed carved from rock. "I am going to ask the spirits many things tonight, but of greatest importance is the location of the Sword. I will also attempt to discover which twin may wield the Sword."
Erin spoke up cautiously. "Shouldn't both twins have the power of the Sword? They have the same blood, the same parents."
Allanon gave her an unreadable look. "Magic is unpredictable. I do not know if the same rules of magic which held true in my world will do the same in yours. Therefore, I must ask those who know more than I."
Erin nodded and fell silent once more. No one raised any more questions, although Erin could tell both twins were scared to death of what Allanon would discover. She studied them for a moment. Which one was more likely to hold the power? Or was it really shared by both of them, as she had suggested to Allanon? Amanda would be able to handle the psychological aspect of the Sword's magic best, since Elissa's self-confidence was dangerously low. Then again, considering the power of that magic, Amanda might not exactly be an ideal candidate either. Nevertheless, one of them had been chosen, and the answer to that question would be revealed no sooner than tonight.
Seeing that the girls were lost in their thoughts, and no longer in need of answers, Allanon rose to leave. "I will take the watches," he rumbled. "I will awaken someone before I leave for the Hadeshorn."
"Now just a moment, Allanon!" said Erin in a voice that brought to mind the image of a mother scolding her child. "You'll need your sleep if you're going to be performing great feats of magic tomorrow. Watches will continue as usual tonight, and we will all wake up when you leave for the Hadeshorn." The others were barely able to conceal their laughter. They knew Erin was trying to cheer them up, and her ploy was succeeding quite brilliantly. Erin stood before Allanon, hands on hips and head tilted slightly, which looked quite comical combined with the fact she was forced to look up to meet his eyes. "In fact," she continued, and now her voice took on the tone of a mother doling out punishment, "I think you should stay right here by the fire where we can make sure you get to sleep. Right everyone?"
The others put on their best innocently serious faces and nodded vigorously, while Allanon gave them all resentful looks. Nonetheless, he saw what Erin was trying to do and played along, bowing respectfully to her. "Certainly, m'lady." he replied in his deep voice, then sat down against a tree as far from the fire as he could get and closed his eyes. Erin turned to her friends.
"We don't want to keep Allanon up with our chatter, so let's all turn in, too. Don't forget, Elissa and Amanda, you two are standing watch!" she called, and everyone moved into action. They put the fire out except for a few last coals to make sure nobody hurt themselves getting to their blankets, and the three girls who weren't on watch curled up to sleep. Elissa and Amanda sat silently, nervously scanning the sky and forest about them, and Allanon drifted in a light, dreamless sleep.
* * *
When Adrienne shook Erin awake at the normal time for her watch, Erin found that she was much more alert than usual. Perhaps I am just on edge about this summoning today, she thought to herself as she nodded at Adrienne. The girl quickly made her way to her own blanket, and soon all was quiet except for the sounds of breathing coming from the direction of the fire. After listening very hard for a moment, Erin was also able to pick up the faint noise of Allanon's breathing, though it was so soft it could be easily overlooked or mistaken for the rustling of leaves.
Allanon. A strange name, many people of my world would say. A strange name for a strange man, I suppose, Erin reflected with a little smile. Memories stole her sight, and she wandered back to a time not so long ago.
The woods were utterly silent, for dawn was not far away, and the night animals had already escaped back to their homes for the day. With a sigh Erin looked about at the sleeping forms of her four friends, then inspected the surrounding woods for the two hundredth time that hour. It was her first time to be on watch, and though she knew what to do, she still felt apprehensive about the responsibility. It didn't help that this was the most likely time for Skull Bearers to descend on the camp. Her gaze drifted towards the night sky, peppered with more stars than she had ever seen in her life. As long as she could remember, Erin had lived near cities, so she'd never been able to see just how many stars were up there. The sheer weight of the sky and the eerie silence pushed down upon her, stifling and oppressing her. She felt as if she would be crushed if she did not do something. In an effort to dispel the silence and the fear that was growing within her mind, Erin began to sing softly. As she sang, her mouth curved slightly in a contented smile, and her tense shoulders relaxed.
Suddenly before my eyes
Hues of indigo arise;
With them how my spirit sighs.
Paint the Sky with stars.
Only Night will ever know
Why the Heavens never show
All the dreams there are to know.
Paint the Sky with stars.
Who has placed the midnight Sky
So a spirit has to fly
As the Heavens seem so far,
Now who will paint the Midnight Star?
Night has brought to those who sleep
Only dreams they cannot keep.
I have legends in the deep.
Paint the Sky with stars.
Who has placed the midnight Sky
So a spirit has to fly
As the Heavens seem so far,
Now who will paint the Midnight Star?
Place a name upon the Night,
One to set your heart alight.
And to make the darkness bright,
Paint the Sky with Stars.
The song ended, and Erin realized that while she had been singing, Lady Dawn had begun to lighten the sky. She was about to begin breakfast preparations when she sensed rather than heard someone come up behind her. She whirled, drawing her knife, only to find herself staring into Allanon's blue eyes. For a moment, Erin just stood there in shock, but then she got control of herself and sheathed her knife. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "You startled me."
Allanon was silent for a moment, then said, "What was that song you were singing? It was beautiful."
Erin glanced at the Druid with no small measure of surprise. "It's called 'Paint the Sky with Stars'. I didn't make it up; there are special people in my world sort of like minstrels who make up songs for others' enjoyment. That song was created by a woman named Enya. I have a couple of her CDs."
Allanon gave Erin a confused look. "What are…CD's?
Erin laughed a little. "Another invention we came up with to make our lives easier. It's a little round metal disk about so big--" --she made a circle with her hands--"that you put in a special device just for playing them. I'm not sure how it works, but somehow it reads the songs off the CD and projects them so that you can hear them."
Allanon's brow furrowed, for such a device was difficult for him to imagine. However, he could ask no more questions, because at that moment Erin began building the fire back up, and the sleeping girls were awakened by the smell of cooking sausage.
That conversation had been the icebreaker. Since then, Allanon had returned during Erin's watch almost every night, where they took turns discussing their respective worlds and the customs and cultures within. Every story Allanon told of the Four Lands made Erin wish even more that she were going back with him after this quest was done. For her, it would have been like escaping back into the way Earth had been a thousand years ago, a time she dearly longed to return to. Perhaps one day, she would be able to travel to the Four Lands and fulfill her dream. For now, though, her fantasy would remain exactly that.
They were still far from exhausting all the topics there were to discuss about their worlds, yet already Erin realized that they were continuing these discussions not solely from a desire to learn, but also from a need for companionship. Despite the fact that she did not really want to admit it, Erin was missing her home and family, and Allanon reminded her in some ways of her father. She found that she was looking forward more and more to spending her watch with him, just talking and sharing and enjoying each others' presence.
And now, in just a few hours, Allanon was going to put himself in grave danger. The others didn't completely realize it, but the summoning Allanon was attempting was not an easy task. It took strength and courage, not to mention a good understanding of magic. And despite the fact that she knew Allanon had done this before, possibly several times, Erin was worried sick. There were so many things that could go wrong, it made her go cold just to think of it. And she wasn't even going to be doing the summoning; all she had to do was stand up here and watch. But in some ways, that task was even harder to bear, not being able to do anything to help Allanon if something went wrong. With a frustrated sigh, Erin stared off into the night, waiting for the dawn.
* * *
Allanon woke with a start, every sense fully alert. He quickly scanned the surrounding land with his eyes and ears, yet he found nothing amiss besides the unnatural silence and thick darkness. This did not upset him, for he had seen such darkness before in the Four Lands; and he knew that few animals dared come this near to the Hadeshorn, which was the cause of the absolute quiet. Through the inky night, he could make out the faint outline of Erin seated nearby. Farther away, Allanon could hear the sounds of the other four girls breathing, soft and slow in the pattern of sleep. Whatever had awakened him so suddenly?
Then he remembered. His sleep and been light and full of fleeting dreams, most of which he could not remember. But the last one, he recalled all too clearly.
They were in a small cave, a very dark cave. The only light was a smoking torch held by…Adrienne. Adrienne stood next to Sarah and the twins, one of whom had the Sword. Allanon could not tell who, for he could see no more than their backs. They were in the Skull Kingdom, in the Warlock Lord's domain. He did not know how he knew all this, but he knew it with a certainty that could not be denied.
Suddenly a shiver of fear passed through all the girls, and Allanon realized that Brona was coming. A shadow seemed to form in the cave entrance, drawing together the shadows…
Before the Warlock Lord finished his appearance, Allanon was torn from that image and tossed into a very different scene. It was another dark cavern, but this one was larger and, Allanon sensed, not completely real. All along the far wall was a gaping fissure, leaving only a small rock shelf against the near wall. All was dark except for a single, flickering white beacon far ahead. Hoping and fearing, Allanon flew across the cavern towards the light. As he neared it, he realized that it was not a light, but a person glowing with magical power. But that power was slowly being forced out, even as the person carrying it was pushed back towards the abyss. Then, in the last instant before the person fell, the image before him disappeared completely, and he woke.
"Allanon?" Erin whispered, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Are you alright?"
Allanon realized belatedly that his breathing had quickened and his hands tightened into fists. He uncurled them and calmed his breathing, then replied, "Yes. I am fine. I was merely recalling a bad dream."
Even in the darkness, he could tell Erin was giving him a strange look. However, she said nothing of it, instead informing him, "You slept late today. I've been on watch for an hour and a half, which means you've got thirty minutes to prepare for the summoning." She rummaged in a pack next to her, then moved carefully over to him, testing the ground before her with her feet before taking a step. "Here, eat a little something," she said, and handed him a chunk of waybread.
"Thank you," he replied as he tore a piece off and ate it. "Are you going to wake the others?"
"In a few minutes," Erin sighed. "I know for a fact both twins are extremely nervous about this today, and Sarah and Adrienne aren't terribly happy either. I don't want to give them that long to think about it and worry themselves into a nervous breakdown."
Allanon nodded, feeling a small measure of sympathy for the girls, especially the twins. He had never really experienced the feeling of not knowing what was to happen to him, the agony that the twins were going through right now. Unfortunately, he did know that such troubles would only increase for whichever twin was imbued with the ability to wield the Sword. And he also knew, even more acutely, that part of those troubles could be dispelled by the information he held and the experience he had gained during his journey with the Ohmsfords.
It was a decision which haunted his every step now, the choice to withhold his knowledge just as he had with Shea. He still felt exactly as he had then, that Brona was a responsibility of the Druids and thus of him. He had thought that when the Warlock Lord was destroyed by Shea, it meant the end of that responsibility, but now he knew that he was mistaken. Once again, he must take up the duty, the burden, and all that came with it. If a few sleepless nights were his only price to pay for the final destruction of Brona, then he would count himself lucky. Even the realization that he had misjudged Shea during that quest in the Four Lands did not shake his resolve to withhold the secrets from the twins. He could bear their mistrust and dislike, but he did not want the deaths of innocents caused by the Warlock Lord on his conscience, for he still firmly believed that, if they failed, Brona would not hesitate to launch an attack on this world. And despite the incredibly superior weapons this world possessed, they had nothing to counter the Skull Bearers and other Demons Brona might summon, creatures who could not be destroyed by anything other than magic. With those alone he could conquer this world. No, they dared not fail this time.
"Allanon," Erin spoke up, interrupting his thoughts. Allanon's attention was immediately drawn to her; he could sense, even though she whispered, that she did so with great emotion. "I don't—
"—I know." Allanon interrupted. He had figured this topic would come up sooner or later. "I do not wish to do this summoning either. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and I know no other way to discern the whereabouts of the Sword. We have no other choice."
Erin sighed sadly next to him, then suddenly changed the subject, so that it took Allanon a moment to figure out what she was talking about. "I miss them, Allanon. My family. My mom and dad, my sister Kelsey...I didn't realize until now just how much I miss them…" And with that, her composure broke, and Allanon heard the faint sounds of crying. He had known this also would come eventually, for over the past few days the other girls had experienced similar waves of homesickness. Each time, Erin had been there with comforting words and a shoulder to cry on. It was inevitable that listening to her friends speak of their homes would bring forth similar memories in Erin.
Nonetheless, Allanon had very little experience with homesick girls. He put a hand on her shoulder, which he could just barely make out, and she leaned her head down onto it, the soft wetness of her tears surprising him momentarily as they fell onto his hand. Then she moved towards him, until she was curled in the shelter of his arms, crying even harder. For days now she had been needing a release of her pent-up emotions, and now that it was here, she took full advantage of it. Allanon continued to hold her silently, her reaction so unexpected that he was quite uncertain what to do. Many minutes later, her sobs subsided, and her breathing calmed. She lifted her head from the Druid's now damp shoulder, looking up into the area she knew his eyes must be. Before she could speak, Allanon asked, "Do you feel better?"
"Yes." Erin replied softly, her voice hoarse from crying. Allanon gently moved her off his lap, and with a final pat on her shoulder, stood up. "Good. I must be going now. You should wake the others."
Erin sighed anxiously. "I will. Allanon," she continued, and the Druid thought it sounded as though she were forcing the words out, "Please be careful. And…good luck." Then he was gone.
Fighting the impulse to run after him, Erin stood and made her way to the remains of the night's fire, starting it up again as she called to the others. "Wake up everybody! Allanon's already gone! Get up, get up!"
Sleepy groans were her only reply as her friends began to awaken. Then Amanda seemed to realize what Erin had just said. "Allanon's gone?!" she exclaimed.
"He just left! There's still ten minutes left before the summoning, but he's got to climb down there!" Erin replied anxiously as she handed out more waybread.
The others were now wide awake as well. For the next few minutes there was silence, as they attempted to down the dry, tasteless waybread. Erin could not see the faces around her, but she already knew the expressions they would hold. The anxiety and outright fear in the air was practically tangible, a cloud that none of them could shake off.
"Allanon's done this before, right?" Elissa finally asked in a quavering voice.
"Yes." Erin replied shortly, then decided to elaborate. "He has done it before in his own world. I don't know if it will go differently here."
Before anyone could add their thoughts to this ominous statement, Erin stood and ran to the rim of the valley. "It's starting!" she hissed at the others, who were already following her to the edge.
Below, the black waters of the lake could be made out faintly. It was an hour until dawn, but the sky was beginning very gradually to lighten, and the lake below was dimly visible. Her eyes open wide, straining through the darkness, Erin thought she could see its previously calm surface boiling. But this was not what had drawn Erin's attention.
All about them, an unearthly chorus was rising in volume, its shrieking and wailing bringing to mind thoughts of demons and hell. Their voices were those of chaos incarnate, having no harmony to speak of, every note seeming to clash with a thousand others. It swirled around them like a great river, threatening to sweep them away. For a few seconds Erin fought an urge to sit down just to feel the ground beneath her, the sound was so disorienting. Her thoughts swam, moving so quickly through her mind that she could not even register them before they were gone.
Sarah and Adrienne covered their ears as the cacophony grew to an unbearable level. The twins' attention was fixed on the lake below, though Erin was sure they could hear the song of the spirit world as well. When she returned her gaze to the valley, Erin thought she could make out shadows swirling about its edges, enclosing Allanon and the lake in a barrier that, though not solid, she knew with undeniable certainty was deadly to breach. And there, mere feet from the roiling waters, stood Allanon. His arms were raised towards the lake, as if to embrace the spirit he had summoned. And even as Erin's attention turned from Allanon to the dark, undulating waters, a whirlpool seemed to form in its center, a lightless tunnel to the spirit world. From it rose a black-cloaked figure who glided across the waters toward the waiting Druid. It halted several feet from the edge of the lake and drew back its hood.
The spirit's face was quite clear, though Erin realized if she looked closely enough she could see the rocks behind it. It was lined with many years of hard labor and nights of sleepless worry. Its hair was long and white, as was its beard, standing out starkly against the black robes. Erin recognized the face beneath it from her readings, and Adrienne's gasp beside her confirmed her suspicion. Bremen had come.