Chapter 29
Within the Darkness Shall Evil Linger
The group stood at the bridge that would lead them back into Aion and then to Loam and from Loam Eldon. They had about as much provision as they could carry, thanks to Fabian, and had been told to make their crossing quick. Fabian warning them that they did not want to be in Aiken when the Deity learned that his bride had been taken.
Going through first Cody waited on the other side for the other’s to pass through. Doing just as he had before, him being the link that would allow them all to enter into the same timeline. Once they were all across, Leora pulled out her map. “The Iron wrought crossing that will lead us into Loam, is across the dried brook that Dryan had seen while up high. We must take that path.”
Cody noted the look that flashed in Ryan’s eyes. And knew that there was something that the guy was not telling them, so being who he was Cody called him out on it, “There’s something that you’re not telling us Ryan, about this brook that Leora keeps mentioning what is it?”
With narrowed eyes he faced off with Cody. “You should watch yourself half breed; I do not care much for being called a liar.”
Cody’s smile was sardonic. “I call ‘em as I see ‘em.” He took a step approaching Ryan. “What is it that you have been hiding eh, because if I heard Leora right, this realm can show you things. So Ryan, what did you see?”
This was the only time that Ryan could say he really wanted to hit Cody. The elf boy was much too smart, and he paid attention to things that most would let go. Knowing that he could no longer keep it to himself he started talking. “Charis is here.”
Leora jumped to her feet, “Charis, your sister, she is here?”
“Yes, and it was not some vision or false seeing that I was having.” He shot a glance Cody’s way, “It was really her.”
“So what does this have to do with your aversion to crossing over the brook?” Cody asked him plainly.
“That was where she took me. She had wanted me to cross it with her to meet the “one that had saved her” as she said. Only I didn’t, there was something about the place that felt off to me. When I made it clear to her that I was not going to go with her, is when I saw this gleam in her eyes.” Bending his head he worked the tensing muscles of his neck. “I was able to put all the pieces together when I heard the chanting, and I knew that she was saved by Tselel Legeon. Who knows what would have happened if I had gone with her to the other side of that brook.” With a shake of his head he went quiet.
With a loud sigh Leora peered back down at the map before her. “If the camp of Tselel is watching the way into Loam, then we cannot go by that route we have to head back to Addar, and from there into Loam.
Morgan spoke up then, “We have a problem there too, I know my father, though he had sent Taher,” Leora noticed the catch in Morgan’s voice as he said the man’s name. “He will have set men to guards to keep an eye on the bridge.”
Ryan nodded in agreement. “But who would you rather face the men of your father, or the slaves of Legeon.”
The discussion went on for a no longer than another minute or so before they all agreed to go back through Addar, instead of going straight to Loam, due to the danger that awaited them there.
Placing his hand in his pocket Morgan clutched what was in it, the item burned the palm of his hand forcing him to release it. Moving his eyes up, he noted Cody’s gaze on him. There was something about the half-blood that was starting to irritate him. Removing his hand from inside his pocket Morgan dragged his gaze from Cody’s. “Are traveling cannot take as long as it had the first time, I say we risk being separated. The three of you will go on Dryan’s back; we should end up making it to the bridge in close to the same time.” Getting to her feet Leora squared off with him.
“Morgan, I do not believe that you should travel on the ground floor by yourself.”
“This is not something that is up for debate Leora.” His tone held the authority of the prince that he was. The strength and commanding lilt making Leora stand down and submit even though she did not wish to, but it had been how she was reared to do. With her gaze down cast she turned away, “It will be as you wish my prince.”
The Dweller smiled, this was becoming too easy. Looking to Morgan as he walked within the shadows of Aion he laughed as he noted Morgan’s unease and lack of peace. He had tried this same thing with Dryan when he had been inside the mid-plane of Aiken and Enos but had failed. It seemed to him that the boy had an unseen guardian.
But Morgan, his grin turned wicked. He on the other hand was the one meant to deliver the Offering. All he needed to do was plant the seed. Placing a hand on Morgan’s shoulder he whispered with a voice innocent as a child’s it flowed off his tongued smooth as silk, into Morgan’s ear, and thoughts, even into the very depths of his reasoning.
“The Offering shall be made, and you are to be the one blessed with the honor to lay her upon the Engraved Stone, for you are my Deliverer.” He took a step back. He would let this fester in Morgan leaving the boy be, for the time. The when the hour was ripe he would have his flower. His smile turned into a grimace; he still had to figure out a way to solve still his greatest problem. He had to get her away from the half-elf, who had unfortunately taken after his father.
With these thoughts running through his vile mind, he faded farther into the dark, leaving them to their task; knowing that soon he would have his Offering.