Author's Note: We are getting closer to the endgame, folks. Just as a heads up, both this chapter and the next are on the shorter side. I thought about combining them, but I felt the tones didn't jive. On the plus side, the rest of the chapters should be my usual length or longer.
Chapter title comes from "Father to Son" by Phil Collins. Eternal gratitude for my sister's help editing. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 7:
it seems so far, but it never is
The puppet show is the most ridiculous thing Ordon has ever seen—and, after the events of the last several weeks, including the fact that he followed a sentient pile of rocks here to the Circle of the Suns, that is a true feat. However, when the Heretic and the Wanderer mention the Dual Glaive, he involuntarily shouts out "What?" only to be shushed by skekGra so the show can finish. He can barely believe it. The sword he wielded against the Arathim years ago in the names of the Lords of the Crystal, the key to victory against those same Lords? The fates have a funny sense of humor.
When they finish, putting out the fire that has started on urGoh, Ordon explains to Deet and Rian how he had used the Dual Glaive in the Arathim War. "Its power was so great, I feared what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands. I gave half to Maudra Argot to hide and hid the other half in Stone-in-the-Wood."
Deet is delighted. "Maudra Argot has it? That's wonderful! We can go straight to Grot and get it!"
"Yes!" skekGra exclaims, out of breath from both the performance and the commotion of putting out the fire on his other half's clothing. "The power of the Aureyal is the power of all Gelfling. Alone, you are small. Together, you are a cleansing flame. Be that flame!"
"Bring the many...into one," urGoh adds, clasping his hands together in emphasis.
"I'm ready," Rian says with his chin raised boldly. Ordon marvels at how his son has grown. "I will wield the Dual Glaive."
Ordon nods resolutely. "We will light the fire and unite the Gelfling."
"The reign of the Skeksis will end," Brea adds.
Deet smiles. "And you two will be one again, we promise."
Finally, Ordon thinks, finally, they are the ones who are a step ahead!
They prepare to leave that evening, after a filling meal and some rest.
skekGra and urGoh give them supplies and further advice, and expressions of gratitude are passed from one to another. skekGra puts out a hand for Rian to shake.
Suddenly something whizzes through the air and buries itself in the Heretic's hand. Both he and urGoh cry out in pain. A loud ripping sound rings out as something tears through the canvas ceiling and jumps through the hole. The Hunter slams to the ground in front of them.
"I have come for my trophy!" he roars, taking a menacing step toward Rian.
Ordon registers Deet putting herself between Rian and the Hunter (his heart swells—that ridiculously kind girl!) before drawing his own sword and going to charge toward the skeksis himself. However, Ordon is cut off just a fraction of a second too long when Hup runs across his path, stopping in front of Deet and brandishing a wooden spoon.
"No hurt Deet!" Hup cries.
To their horror, the Hunter picks Hup up by the spoon, and with a snort and a derisive comment of "Cute," flings the podling across the room. The small figure hurtles into a shelf that collapses on top of him with a crash. Deet screams and runs to her friend's side.
skekMal turns his attention back on Rian, who draws his sword. Ordon, shaken by watching his friend thrown across the room like a child's plaything, comes back to his senses and lunges at the Hunter with a furious cry. Rian follows suit.
Their quick exchange of blows is furious, but it is quickly apparent that skekMal has the upper hand based on size and skill. The Hunter gets a chance to knock Ordon aside, and then disarms Rian. He raises his blade to make the final blow upon Rian, and Ordon will not get there in time—
An arrow appears in the Hunter's shoulder, who cries out in pain, and then another and another, leaving the skeksis staggering backward. Ordon takes the opportunity to put himself between the Skeksis and Rian, but his glance in the direction the arrows came reveals another Mystic, this one wielding a bow.
"Get away from them," the Mystic commands, then lets another arrow fly. It hits its mark, and both he and the Hunter cry out in pain. "You and I are one," the Archer forces out. "You cannot defeat me without defeating yourself. What I feel, you feel."
The Hunter growls, "Perhaps, but I will not leave empty-handed."
With that, the Skeksis turns and runs. Ordon sees his path and sprints to intercept him, but the skeksis snatches up Brea and leaps off the balcony.
Ordon and Rian run to the edge, powerless to follow. "Brea!" Rian shouts.
"Rian, go! Find the Glaive! Don't worry about me!" Brea instructs before her voice fades away.
Rain slams his hands down on the balcony wall with a cry of frustration before rushing back inside to check in with the others. Ordon is about to follow when he notices Brea's beautifully embroidered book resting on the ledge. He picks it up carefully, remembering how he had seen Brea rifling through it or sketching in it on their way to the Crystal Desert. He aches for the young princess and shudders to think what may become of her in the hands of the Hunter.