Deltora's Protector
Chapter 14 – The Fate of the Shadows
Previously on Deltora's Protector:
Harry Potter was tortured for months in a prison known as the Island. During his stay he lost his voice and as such can no longer speak. A rescue attempt was made and while Harry managed to get out, it wasn't in England he returned to. He was washed ashore the western shore of Deltora and taken care of by Verity, the spirit girl of Bone Point Lighthouse. Shortly afterwards he met Steven, Nevets and Queen Bee. He was renamed Aiden and spent a few months recovering at Queen Bee's orchard. One day he snuck away to the City of the Rats and became the owner of a fine bracelet. Aiden joined Steven on his rounds and during his adventures became friends with the Ralads, a Dread Gnome, the Resistance and became an enemy of the Shadow Lord.
The seven Great Gems of Deltora have been returned to the Belt of Deltora. Lief of Del has been identified as Heir, but before he could be formally presented with the Belt he is captured by the Monster Ichabod. A rescue attempt is now underway.
The final battle for Deltora is about to begin...
"We have been betrayed, there is no other explanation for it!" Gla-Thon hissed as they started to dig their way out of the former stronghold.
"What was it?" Fardeep asked in horror.
"It was Ichabod!" Jasmine revealed. "The last of Thaegan's horrible children, and the most wicked."
"I don't care who it was," Doom snapped. "We must dig our way out of here and give chase! Every moment we delay brings Lief closer to death."
"He is dead already," Glock growled, but not unkindly. "The monster will by now have torn him limb from limb."
"He would if he could bear to touch him," Barda announced. Aiden was by his side and using the man to talk. "Aiden is protecting Lief at this very moment by making sure that nothing of evil intentions can touch him. Without the Belt on his waist, Lief is vulnerable."
"I heard that monster scream in pain," Manus pointed out. "When he held Lief, it was like he couldn't stand the pain."
"He has a high pain tolerance," Barda continued to translate. "But he will not be able to harm Lief."
"Where are they going?" Zeean asked. Everyone's eyes looked to Aiden and he stared back at them, sending another thought Barda's way.
"To Del."
"Then we must go and rescue him at once!" Dain exclaimed. "Why do we delay?"
"Ichabod knew exactly where we were," Steven announced with a moan. A large piece of the roof had fallen on him, but with Nevets protecting him he only had a few bruises. "I agree with Gla-Thon. One of us is a traitor."
Aiden agreed as well, but had no idea how to figure out who it was. He undid the Belt and laid it flat on the ground. The Ruby was still pink, though not as pale as previously, and the Emerald was also dull. Lief had known exactly what it meant, but as he wasn't here Aiden pulled The Belt of Deltora from his pocket and opened it to where the Gems were written.
Diamonds…give courage and strength, protect from pestilence and help the cause of true love.
The Amethyst…calms and sooths. It changes colour in the presence of illness, loses colour near poisoned food or drink…
The Topaz protects its wearer from the terrors of the night. It has the power to open doors into the spirit world. It strengthens and clears the mind…
The Emerald…dulls in the presence of evil, and when a vow is broken. It is a remedy for sores and ulcers, and an antidote to poison.
The great Ruby…grows pale in the presence of evil, or when misfortune threatens the wearer. It wards off evil spirits, and is antidote to snake venom.
The Opal…has the power to give glimpses of the futures, and to aid those with weak sight…The Opal has a special relationship with the Lapis Lazuli, the heavenly stone, a powerful talisman.
So, Aiden thought as he finished the passages. Danger is still here, even though Ichabod is nearing the city of Del. That means the spy is still here.
Aiden's opal had helped him in the past, but he needed something more powerful. He reached towards the Opal on the Belt, unaware of everyone's eyes on him, and let the Gem pull him into a vision. His eyes closed as images flashed through his mind, and when he opened them he gasped in shock. Jasmine put her hand on his, and Barda placed his on his shoulder.
"Lief never liked to use the Opal," Jasmine told him. "He never sees anything good."
Aiden nodded and did his best to suppress a shiver. His little opal at least gave him hope; the Great Opal however, gave the most accurate warnings. And now he knew what it was that he needed to do. From his pocket he pulled a vial of venom he had acquired from Sion, and then his dagger from his boot sheath. His gloves were returned to his hands and he carefully coated the dagger with the venom, being careful not to get any on his skin. Sion's venom was potent, and while it worked quicker being injected directly into the bloodstream, it could also be absorbed through the skin and the result would be the same. The only ones who weren't killed by Sion's venom so far were the Grey Guards, but they were knocked out for several hours.
"What are you doing?" Jasmine asked as he returned the venom to his pocket. Aiden balanced the dagger on his palm, thinking about what he had to do next. Before any plan was created they needed to get rid of the spy. That was why he had coated his dagger in venom. He had to make sure that the spy was dead before anyone could stop him. He asked if anyone had a map of Del, and Manus brought forward a detailed map of the palace and the secret passage ways. Everyone crowded and around the map and Aiden found himself next to Dain. He reached over with a now ungloved hand so that he could speak without the others paying attention.
How long have you been feeding information to the Shadow Lord?
Dain stiffened but didn't say a word. Doom, Jasmine and Barda looked at him curiously, and then in concern having caught Dain's expression. Aiden turned to face Dain, ignoring the others around him.
You can think your answers to me, I will be able to hear them, Aiden continued. What was your plan? Were you hoping to be named as the Heir? That wasn't going to happen.
I was created for that very purpose! Dain thought back furiously. I almost had it. Lief would have named me as Adin's Heir and my Master would have won.
You really think that as the Protector of this land, I would have allowed this Belt to fall into your possession? You truly are a misguided one. How much does the Shadow Lord know?
"Everything," Dain said aloud. Aiden nodded, a little sad, before rapidly grabbing the Belt and snapping it around Dain's waist. Dain screamed in pain as the power of the Belt fought against the evil that was inside him. Everyone in the room shrank back in horror as Dain's form started to melt. Aiden could hear others cursing, but all he did was plunge his dagger into Dain's heart, on his right side, where heart of an Ol was.
"You…have already…lost," Dain uttered. "Long…live…the…Shadow…Lord."
Aiden set Dain's melting body on fire, and stepped back with a nod at his handiwork. Once the fire started to die down Aiden grabbed the Belt and held it loosely in his hands. Doom came up behind him and placed his hands on his shoulders.
"How did you know?" he asked. Aiden pointed to the Opal.
I've never liked Dain, Aiden told him. There's always been something about him that hasn't appealed to me. But I never assumed that he was an ally of the Shadow Lord. It had been his plan to be thought of as Heir so that he could give the Belt to the Shadow Lord, and then hope would be lost forever.
"But now Lief has been taken," Doom muttered. "And protection or not, we need to get to Del right now."
A mere hour later the group was headed towards Del. Doom, Glock, and Zeean were taking one road; Fardeep, Gla-Thon, Nanion and Manus were to leave after them; and Steven would bring Aiden, Barda and Jasmine to Del in his caravan. Ailsa had promised to follow them later, but she was waiting for the rest of the Kin and Dread Gnomes. The Resistance would get as close to Del as they could and then once the signal was given they would storm the gates and fight for their freedom.
Jasmine had been really reluctant to go with Steven. She wanted to go with Doom, with her father, but he had promised her that as soon as the battle was over they would have all the time in the world to talk. He had whispered something in her ear before they set out, and Aiden figured that it had been something sentimental as both had tears in their eyes.
Aiden had the Belt wrapped around his waist, have been nominated to get it back to Lief. Across his shoulders was Lief's cloak, and wrapped around his wrist was Sion. As soon as they made it inside Del, Sion wanted to go and bite the Grey Guards. Aiden liked the plan and knew that the snake wanted some action. But while he waited he had The Belt of Deltora open in front of him. The one passage was taunting him and he knew that the answer was in it.
Each gem has its own magic, but together the seven make a spell that is far more powerful than the sum of its parts. Only the Belt of Deltora, complete as it was first fashioned by Adin and worn by Adin's true heir, has the power to defeat the Enemy.
"I have a question," Jasmine revealed from inside the caravan. Aiden knocked on the roof to show that he listening and she continued. "Well, since Lief is the heir, why didn't the Belt shine?"
"I have been thinking about that as well," Barda admitted. "My conclusion is that there is something wrong with the Belt."
"All the Gems are real," Steven stated. "Aiden's bracelet wouldn't have lit up if it had been false."
"What else could it be?" Jasmine asked. "Every Gem was added to the Belt in the order they were found! We faced every danger, and the Belt has helped us every step of the way."
Aiden gasped half way through Jasmine's rant. Steven looked at him curiously but Aiden ignored him. He shut the book with a snap and stared at the picture of the Belt on the front. The answer was in front of them the whole time. The Gems were in the wrong order! They needed to be rearranged so that it went: Diamond, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Topaz, Opal, Ruby, Amethyst. The first letter of each Gem is what gave the land its name.
DELTORA
Aiden almost laughed. The secret to the Resistance passwords was exactly the same. All one had to do was take the first letter from each word and put it together to create the password. In this case the Belt of Deltora was literally the Belt of DELTORA.
"Aiden? What happened? Get over here," Steven ordered. Aiden did as he was bid and showed the front cover of the book to the peddler, pointing out the order of each of the Gems.
"So the Gems are in the wrong order?" Steven asked. "Something so small, we'll have to fix it when we stop."
Aiden shook his head. It would be the last test for the future King. He needed to make it right; he needed to feel the power that the correct order would produce. Steven frowned, not agreeing with Aiden's decision, but abiding by it all the same.
Del's border was visible just over an hour later. Aiden, Jasmine and Barda separated from Steven and snuck into the city using Lief's cloak. Steven joined the cue so that his caravan and their supplies were accessible at a later time. Aiden was only a little worried when he noticed how deserted the city was, and how the Grey Guards were herding stragglers in the direction of the palace.
"This isn't good," Barda whispered. "Hear those bells? They summon every citizen of Del to the palace, to the Place of Punishment. An execution is about the take place."
"Then we should go there too," Jasmine insisted. "It will be Lief they are about to execute."
Aiden disagreed to a point. Yes, they needed to go to the Place of Punishment, but at the same time Dain had known they were organising a rescue attempt. He may have contacted the Shadow Lord, moments before his death, and this could be a trap that the Enemy orchestrated. He said nothing however and willingly walked to the Place of Punishment.
Once he was there he split from the other two and made his way around the outside of the crowd. Barda and Jasmine went the other way, looking for a way to get closer to the platform.
On the platform were two hooded figures, but even from a distance Aiden recognised Endon, which meant that the woman next to him was Sharn. Between the two was what appeared to be a large cauldron of scolding oil. He shuddered, it was a painful way to go. In the crowd Aiden was unable to see any other member of their group, even though they should have already arrived. There was no sign of Fallow, but Aiden dropped Sion near the closest pod of Grey Guards. The snake would make his move when the time was right, but until then he would wait eagerly.
Where are you, Lief? Aiden thought. He pulled the hood of the cloak up again, its invisibility activating, and hurried through an open door he was sure would lead down to the dungeons. He was able to slip passed the Grey Guards easily, and as soon as he was in the dungeons he dropped the cloak's hood, canceling the invisibility, and looked through the doors.
"Aiden? Is that you?"
Aiden stared at Manus in confusion. He tilted his head to the side even as his eyes focused on the lock imprisoning him. That meant that Gla-Thon, Fardeep and Nanion were also present.
"Aiden, get us out of here," Gla-Thon requested.
"We were caught at the gate," Fardeep explained as Aiden blew apart the lock keeping Manus imprisoned. He went around to the others and did the same to their locks and pointed back the way that they needed to go. He grabbed Fardeep's arm and asked him the one question he truly wanted to know.
Where's Lief? Was he down here with you?
"We have not seen him," Fardeep told him. "They must be keeping him somewhere else."
Aiden sighed in annoyance. He started to lead the group back up again, but before he could go too far a Grey Guard appeared swinging his sword. The only reason Aiden wasn't decapitated was because he had thrown himself backwards at the last minute. As such only the tip of the blade ripped across his neck. The Grey Guard was soon killed by Gla-Thon and the other three crowded around Aiden, applying pressure to his bleeding neck.
"This is not good," Fardeep stated.
"Aiden, hang in there," Nanion ordered. He had Aiden pulled back against his body, hand pressing down on the wound.
"Can't you heal it Aiden?" Gla-Thon asked. "Like you healed me?"
Aiden shrugged and pushed Nanion's hand away so that he could place his right hand over the wound. He normally disliked healing himself as it was energy that he might need to save someone else, but he wouldn't be able to save anyone if he died in the dungeons. A soft green glow surrounded his hand and the wound closed over. It wasn't until he had pulled his hand away that Aiden realised he had done more than just heal his throat, his magic had also given him back his voice.
He pushed the others away from him and led the group back up again, but Manus informed him that he had a better idea. The Ralad man had studied the map of the palace before giving it to Aiden, and as it had been his ancestors who had built the palace he a greater understanding on the layout. Aiden bowed with a sweeping arm, gesturing that the man take the lead. He started to run at the back, and as soon as he was sure they were safe he pulled the cloak back over his head and took a different tunnel. The others would be fine without him. They would be worried about him, but with his wound healed already he would be able to meet them later and apologise for scaring them.
Somehow Aiden found his way onto the walkways directly overlooking the Place of Punishment. The platform was below him, the palace behind him, and the crowd stretching out in front of him. From his vantage point he could see Barda and Jasmine near the front of the platform, and near the back was Zeean. That meant that Doom and Glock would be around somewhere.
At that moment Fallow walked onto the stage and silence descended upon the crowd. The crowd's faces went blank, having learnt long ago that they were not to look away from the horror before them. Fallow spread his arms wide in some sick parody of a warm welcome.
"Today is a great day!" the man began. "Those who would overthrow our great leader will today be silenced! A plot, one doomed to failure, has been discovered and destroyed! Behind me are the mother and father of this great evil, they will get double branding, and death!"
Aiden shuddered, feeling sick as he noticed several Grey Guards holding hot metal pokers. He hadn't been branded when he was Voldemort's prisoner, but the thought had still terrified him. The crowd echoed the last statement in a monotone.
"Double branding and death."
Seven shadows flew over Aiden's hiding place, and he recognised the Ak-Baba waiting for the end. Fallow walked closer to Endon and Sharn and removed their hoods so that everyone in the crowd would know who it was that would be killed that day. It was the first time that Aiden had seen emotion on their face, sorrow and despair, hopelessness.
"These two, by mercy of the Shadow Lord, will at least be able to see their son before they die."
Aiden crouched on the railing, preparing to jump, but when another hooded figure was dragged on stage, he hesitated. The Belt around his waist hadn't reacted at all, so the person they had pulled up there was not Lief at all. Another trick of the Shadow Lord? The monster would have known that there would be a rescue attempt, so this was a last ditch effort to reveal who was a part of the Resistance.
Fallow pulled the hood off of the thing pretending to be Lief, and the crowd made another sound of horror. Members of the Resistance began to move forward, but all they achieved was being captured and dragged on stage as well, much to Fallow's joy. Barda, Jasmine, Glock, Doom, Nanion and Gla-Thon were all forced to their knees facing the crowd. Aiden shook his head, at least there were others that were still free.
Aiden took a running leap in the confusion and landed on the post that Endon was tied to. The cloak kept him invisible, but he was certain in the brief moment of visibility that jumping had caused, the crowd had seen him. There was no cry of alarm though, no one pointed him out, for they must have seen the one thing that could give them hope…the Belt around his waist. Aiden slid down the post, reached forward and grabbed Endon's arm.
Your Majesty, he began. Don't say anything aloud. That boy in front of you is not your son. Lief is being kept somewhere else. The thing in front of you was merely bait to capture others loyal to him.
Aiden? Endon thought. Where is my son then? Does he have the Belt? Did it not shine for him?
The Gems on the Belt are in the wrong order. I have the Belt with me, and I need to find Lief. The protection I gave him won't last forever, he needs the Belt.
I request an explanation later, Endon finally requested. But for now cut me free so that I can fight.
I'll free you, but wait until I've also cut Queen Sharn's, Aiden said as he awkwardly cut the rope with his dagger in his left hand. I have a plan that will distract them all.
Good luck.
Aiden released Endon's wrist and waited to make sure that it still looked like he was tied up before moving silently across the stage to where Sharn was staring at Lief with teary eyes. He stood behind her and grabbed her wrist, quickly speaking to her so that she wouldn't tell anyone else that he was there.
Queen Sharn, please don't make a sound. I'm your son's Protector and I need your help. If you think what you want to say I will hear you.
Who are you?
I told you, I'm Deltora's Protector, Aiden let out a breath. That thing in front of you is not Lief, he is elsewhere. There's no way that the Shadow Lord would allow Adin's Heir to be killed so quickly. This was a trap for those who are loyal to the future King.
What can I do? Aiden was grateful that Sharn held back the numerous questions that had appeared in her mind, and outlined his plan to her. He figured that if there was one person in the whole world who would be able to spot a fake, it would be a mother. All Sharn needed to do was pass on the message that the imposter wasn't who the others thought he was. Sharn agreed and started to speak as Aiden cut her ropes.
"I do not know what your purpose is, but you are not my son," she said clearly. The Lief-Imposter spun around to face her with despair on its face. The others in the Resistance also looked back curiously.
"Mother! It is I, your son!" Lief-Imposter cried.
"My son would have fought," Sharn continued as the ropes holding her broke. "You walked up here calmly."
"I do not recognise this person in front of me," Endon added. "Where is my son?"
"You do not recognise your own son, blacksmith?" Fallow asked, a tad nervously.
"There is one question that I can ask, that will tell me if you are my son," Sharn continued, looking at the imposter. "What was the name of your protector when you were growing up?"
Good one, Your Majesty, Aiden mentally congratulated.
Thank you, now go and find my son, Sharn ordered. We will handle this.
Aiden released her wrist and stepped back, noticing that the imposter looked unsure. He really wanted to see what answer it would come up with, as it would reveal how much information the enemy had gathered about Lief.
"Barda was my protector," it finally said. Endon laughed, and even Barda chuckled with a shake of his head.
"Even I was aware that my son's protector was his imaginary friend, Harry," Endon stated.
"Little Harry, who had a harder life than we lived," Sharn added. "You stopped seeing your friend after your eleventh birthday."
"No way, it was real?" Aiden gasped in shock, not aware that Sharn and Endon heard his soft words. There was no way that it was possible. Lief had known about him from his childhood? Aiden had repressed most of his memories of his time with the Dursleys, but he now remembered a small boy who would talk to him at night. Why had he forgotten? What made him forget?
"My son is here somewhere, Fallow!" Endon cried over the mutterings in the crowd. "Where are you hiding him?"
"It no longer matters!" Fallow cried back. "We have the traitors to the Shadow Lord! Now they will all die!"
I don't think so, Aiden thought. He made a sweeping motion with his right hand and the ropes that were restraining the recently captured turned to ash. An all-out battle began, one Endon and Sharn were happy to participate in, and off to the side Aiden recognised Sion's handiwork. Even the crowd joined in, but Aiden went after the Lief-Imposter and plunged his dagger into the right side of his chest, piercing the heart, and causing the body to disappear. Task done Aiden scurried back up one of the posts, looking for where Lief would be.
Ichabod made his appearance by leaping onto the platform, and working together the Resistance and citizens of Del were able to defeat it. The lasts word escaping from its mouth was "mummy". Aiden felt a little sad, despite looking like a ferocious monster, it was still just a child who wanted its mother.
A bell began to ring behind him, and Aiden turned to look at the bell tower. Despite the distance, Aiden could see Kree sitting on the window ledge, ringing the bell. There was only one reason that Kree would do that, and that was to tell everyone where Lief was. Aiden stood on the post and turned to face Fallow, pushing his hood off as he did so and becoming visible once again. He held his dagger out in front of him in a challenge.
"No!" Fallow cried as the Resistance crowded around him. "This is not how it was supposed to end!"
"Where is my son?" Endon roared.
"Kill him! Kill him now!" Fallow ordered. For one heart stopping moment Aiden understood that he wasn't talking about Endon, he was talking about Lief. Large blasts sounded out and projectiles headed for the tower Aiden knew Lief to be in. With a cry of horror he leapt up, transforming mid leap, and flying after Lief. The Belt slipped from his waist so he carried it in his talons.
The tower was crumbling, but Aiden was able to get in through one of the windows without getting hit. Lief was, thankful, untied so he was able to grab the Belt as it was dropped. He wasn't able to put it on, however, as Aiden grabbed his shoulders in his talons and flew them up and out, hovering over what had used to be a tall tower.
"Who are you?" Lief asked, looking up at the red bird. "What are you?"
I am Aiden, Aiden replied mentally with a laugh. This is my second form. My magic is from a different land. I was born with it. This is one of my abilities.
"Aiden?" Lief muttered. "How'd you find me?"
I cast protective magic over you. We are linked until I remove it, but I don't think I will. You seem even more prone to danger than I am. Now, let's get you down and fix the Belt.
"What's wrong with it?" Lief asked. "Is this problem why it won't shine?"
Aiden wasn't able to reply for at that moment the Ak-Baba decided that they would play. Aiden was forced to use every bit of aerial combat he knew, from his experience playing Quidditch, out flying a dragon, and what he had learnt simply by flying over Deltora. He barely noticed the palace crumbling around them as the Ak-Baba crashed into the towers, or their tails slicing through the walkways, all that mattered was keeping Lief safe.
There was one attack that he was not able to completely evade, and he cursed as Lief dropped the Belt. Lief screamed out in horror, but that was not all he was worried about. It seemed that the knock they had taken had dislodged the Gems and they were falling back towards the palace.
"Aiden, we have to get that back!" Lief cried.
I know, we need a distraction, Aiden replied. Cover your ears as best as you can.
He looked down and after taking a deep breath let out an ear piercing screeching. The Ak-Baba shrieked as the noise assaulted their ears, but the noise had passed on the message that Aiden wanted to send. This was his signal, everybody attack! From over the horizon flew dozens of Kin with Dread Gnomes in their pouches. They had some kind of explosive with them, as every time they dropped a bottle it would explode. The Resistance members who had been waiting outside for the signal charged forward with reckless abandon, and only then was Aiden able to fly down and drop Lief on what was left of one of the walkways. He transformed back into his human form, crouched on the railing, and passed over Lief's cloak.
"Listen to me very carefully Lief," Aiden said aloud, using his actual voice for the first time since before his imprisonment. Lief looked at him in shock but nodded to show that he was listening. "The Belt needs to be completed in the same way as Adin completed it. For together the Gems spell the one name that the Shadow Lord fears above all others."
"And what is that?" Lief asked.
"Think, the true name of this land is what will free it," Aiden insisted. "You don't believe that it is a coincidence that this land is known as Deltora?"
"Of course," Lief breathed. "If the Gems are arranged in the right order they will spell out Deltora. And the Shadow Lord hates it because it is a symbol of unity."
Aiden nodded with a smile before standing and facing the crowd who were standing amongst the rubble. The smile slid from his face as he stared at them.
"Listen to me!" he ordered. "Find the Gems! This is the moment we have been waiting for! Work together and we will rid this land of the Shadow Lord. Deltora will be free again!"
He leapt off the railing and grabbed Lief's arm, dragging him along until they got to where the Belt had landed. He lifted it and sent his magic into it. He snapped it around Lief's waist and clasped his forearm seriously.
"Deltora will accept you as King, but only if you arrange the Gems correctly," he told him. "The rest is now up to you. I have done what I can."
Lief nodded and took off running. Aiden watched him go and then glanced down at his bracelet. Once again it was dark, but that would change as Lief once again dropped the Gems into their correct places. He took off running, leaping over Grey Guards and Ols, stabbing them with his poisoned dagger as he did so.
His bracelet grew hot before it burst into light as the Diamond was slipped into place. His opponent reeled backwards, covering his eyes as the light blinded him. Moments later he was dead, and Aiden was running towards another cluster. At one stage he was back to back with Jasmine, and he noticed the Topaz clutched in her hand. His bracelet informed him that the Amethyst was next in place, leaving five empty spaces between it and the Diamond.
"Run to Lief, he needs the Topaz," he ordered.
"Where is he?" Jasmine asked. "I can't see him."
"Make your way to the centre of the courtyard, he will be there."
Jasmine nodded and ran off. The Emerald was returned next to the Diamond, and Aiden could feel his power building. This was followed by the Ruby beside the Amethyst, and then the Lapis Lazuli next to the Emerald. Aiden found himself in front of Endon and Sharn after having spotted the former King collapse. Sharn was standing over him, and Aiden spotted Doom making his way to them as well.
"What happened?" Aiden asked as he sent a blast of fire at an incoming group of Grey Guards.
"He was caught from behind," Sharn explained.
"Look out!" Doom called. Aiden turned to the side and saw the wall falling towards them. He lifted his hands as if to catch it and cast a shield around him and the two royals. There was a large crack and once the wall made it to the ground there was a hole where Aiden still stood. Endon and Sharn were on the ground, protecting their heads, but still looked up when they realised they weren't dead.
"I have to go find Lief," Aiden said as he dropped the shield. He turned to Doom. "You'll look after them?"
Doom nodded and Aiden began running again. The Opal returned to the Belt, beside the Ruby, and that left just the Topaz to go in the middle of all the Gems. Aiden ran to the center of the courtyard, ducking under, serving around and jumping over rubble in his way. Jasmine and Lief were running towards each other, but heading towards both of them was an Ol in the form of a giant, sword aiming directly at them. Aiden recklessly jumped in front of the giant and caught the blade. The shockwave sent both Lief and Jasmine to the ground behind him, but they were still unharmed.
"Aiden…" Lief breathed in horror.
"Complete the Belt, Lief," Aiden ordered. "Now."
He had caught the blade before it could be thrust towards Lief, but by caught it he meant that he had used his body to stop it. The tip of the blade had gone through his stomach and drops of blood were hitting the ground next to Lief's head. Lief dropped the Topaz into its place and there was a moment of silence before the entire courtyard burst into light. The giant Ol recoiled and Aiden dropped to the ground once the sword had disappeared. His own bracelet was pulsing in time with the Belt, and from where his hands were pressed into the ground supporting his body he could sense the evil all over the land retreating back to the Shadowlands.
"Aiden," Jasmine whispered. He looked up at her and tried to smile.
"We won," he told her.
"You're hurt badly," she continued.
"I'll live, had worse than this."
"Lean on me," Jasmine ordered. "You can't stay here."
Aiden agreed to that and soon had his left arm over Jasmine's shoulders. Lief appeared on his other side and they helped him to walk back over to where Endon was being supported by Sharn and Doom. Even from his weakened position, Aiden knew that Endon didn't have much time left. Lief left his side and ran to his father, collapsing on the ground in front of him. Aiden and Jasmine were close enough to hear the former King's words, and Doom moved to stand with them. Aiden used his right hand to put pressure on his stomach, he would sacrifice a little of his energy to make sure that he wouldn't bleed out, but otherwise he would heal the normal way.
"Do not weep for me," Endon murmured, his hand reaching up to cup Lief's face. "I am happy. My life is fulfilled. Here, now, at the moment of my death, I have what I have longed for. The knowledge that the evil caused by my fault has been undone. The knowledge that, with my dear wife, I have raised a son who can lead his people wisely, know their hearts."
"Why did you not tell me Father?" Lief asked. "Why did you not tell me who I was?"
"While you did not know, you were safe," Endon whispered, letting his hand fall to his lap. "And – you had to learn – to love and know the people, and be one of them. That – I had sworn."
"But…Barda? Aiden?"
"Barda did not know the truth," Sharn explained. "He had seen Jarred and Anna leave. He thought they were the king and queen, for that is what we told him. at the palace he had only ever seen us from a distance, dressed and painted in palace fashion. We never told him the secret. We had sworn to keep the plan between the four of us. And when you went on your quest – why, we thought that as soon as the Belt was complete there would be no need for explanation. We thought it would shine! We did not know…"
"As for Aiden," Endon whispered with a smile. "It seems that he already knew a Jarred of the Forge and put the pieces together himself. From what I have seen, and what I now know, he has been protecting you for longer than any of us thought."
"What?" Lief asked.
"Your imaginary friend growing up?" Aiden queried, drawing attention to himself. "Young Harry, who grew up in a cupboard and didn't know his true name until he was five. Who never had a friend except for the boy who would talk to him in his dreams? That, was me. I had forgotten about it after my rescue, a repressed memory from that house that your mother and father reminded me of."
"You are Harry?"
"I was Harry," Aiden said with a nod. "But Harry died on the Island. I am Aiden, but there is one thing that will not change. I will protect you until you no longer have need of it. You are the reason that I still live, and because of that I am in your debt."
"And here I thought it was your imagination," Endon murmured. "But all along you and Deltora's Protector have been working together. That is fitting. I have always liked tales like this, for such tales usually have happy endings…as does this one."
Endon closed his eyes and his face relaxed, and smile ghosting over his lips. Aiden bowed his head in sadness. Endon was not the greatest King Deltora had ever had, but he was the next best thing. He had raised a child to become the greatest King of Deltora, one who hadn't been seen since the time of Adin. For that, he would be honored.
Aiden decided that it was time for him to go off and heal, and shook of Jasmine's support. He walked shakily away from her and Doom, and smiled as everyone looked at him.
"There is much that needs to be done," he said. "The dead must be buried and mourned, the wounded must be tended to, the city must be repaired, and the people need to formally meet our new King."
"Your injuries need to be tended to as well Aiden," Jasmine said with her hand lifted towards him.
"You are right, Aiden," Lief said, walking away from his father's body. "But I agree with Jasmine. You need healing."
Aiden nodded as he staggered to the side before righting himself. His right hand was now bright red from his blood, but he knew that with some rest he would live.
"Quit being stubborn," Steven ordered from behind him. His feet were swept out from under him as Steven lifted him. "I'll start bandaging the wounded, bring them to the city square…as well as any volunteers who would like to help."
"Thank you Steven," Lief whispered.
"Think nothing of it, my King," Steven replied with a smile. "We are free from the Shadow Lord, and it is because of you and Aiden that we are so. Anything I can do, I will."
Aiden smiled and closed his eyes. Deltora was free from the Shadow Lord, already he could hear the cheers spreading like a wild fire. He did wonder what would happen now, but resolved to wait until later. Once he was healed he would worry about the next plan of the Shadow Lord, and the fate of his friends back home…
Next up in Deltora's Protector:
Chapter 15 – News from Home