Chapter 37
The Song of Iysh-Chayil
They knew that time was short, the Offering had been made. It was now up to the First for what the final outcome would be. For the Dweller had succeeded in winning his prize.
The Keeper of the Way felt it to its core as the life seeped out of Leora, the Daughter of Light. He had known this was too happened, for even when a Path is set before someone, that person must choose to follow it. Thus he said a prayer, knowing that she would choose the correct Path in death as she had during the beginning and duration of her life.
Amori walked to the Gate, guided by the Dweller. He led her through the paths. Out of sight of those that would try to stop them, he hugged the shadows leading them both by the darkened pathways.
“Soon we shall be there, at the place that binds me.” Amori said nothing; she simply walked alongside him. Though he had once again taken to hiding his true form beneath a false mask of beauty, Amori had seen him; she had seen the shadow of the beast that lurked just under the surface of the façade. She could no longer be fooled.
Theron and Taher moved with quick steps to the realm Kadmiel with the Book of Naba, their Path having taken them to the young prince Dryan and his chosen’s home. Now they went swiftly with the mission of taking the sacred Book to the Holy City for safe keeping. So that is what they did, both moving with a fast and quiet grace.
The Gate stood tall the height of it looming above them. Words inscribed in an unknown tongue upon its mantle.
Translated they read, ‘Gate of the Forbidden’ the way leading to it, was a brick laid pathway. Standing guard at the end of it were two creatures of fire. They knelt on one knee, their body still and unmoving as that of a statue, save for their eyes which took in all detail not missing a single thing.
“Open the Gate.” Negel looked down at Amori. “Open it and free me from my prison, my flower.” Placing a hand upon her shoulder he motioned with the other for her to go.
The closer she drew the stronger the smells that filled her nostrils became. Amori near fainting from the overpowering stench of pain and decay that hung thick in the air about her. Covering her mouth and nose with the sleeve of her pajama shirt she stopped a foot away from the Gate Forbidden. The hum in the air reminding her of the time when she had first begun to hear the Dweller’s voice, or when she began to hear him as time progressed.
But for the first time it was not the sound of humming that she heard, but a song. Clear as the free mountain air, and refreshing as the purest of waters. The words of it flowed through her mind and spirit,
‘When you feel all hope is falling, say the name of your recalling.’
The verse of the song resonated within her, a peace that she had not known for a long time resting upon her whole being.
Negel felt it, the presence of the peace; the presence of the Prince. He looked to his flower; he knew that Amadis was trying to speak to her. Dropping his guise Negel showed his true form.
Amori turned at the feeling of heat lapping at the nape of her neck. Before her stood the Beast, and Amori finally saw what she had not the first time they had met. The embers that she had once thought glowed with an inviting fire were now two black orbs. His stature was tall like the giants of Avarice, thus he towered above her. His hands were clawed her own blood dripping from their tips, even though it had been Damalis who had cut her wrists. Negel’s face was monstrous in form. His canines’ were elongated saliva sliding down the sides, as his hand rested calmly on the sword that was still buckled at his side. He smiled down at her, and the same smile that she had once thought to be so wonderful now brought fear to her heart.
The more she allowed the fear to reign in her, the quieter the voice of the Prince became. The peace she had known but a second ago fled, her own fear chasing it away.
The Dweller grabbed Amori by the throat, lifting her off her feet so that they were eye level.
“I have waited long for this time. I will not be stopped nor hindered by a worthless mortal human. YOU SHALL OPEN THE GATE!”
As he screamed this in her face his spittle landing on her, yet again the Prince Amadis whispered in her ear, “Say My name.” Amori shook her head, her eyes rolling into the back of her head. Before she passed out Negel dropped her to the ground. Snarling at her he said, “Open the Gate or you shall die.” Amori pulled herself to her feet, and turned back to the Gate.
The High Prince stood before Cody, “I have chosen you as the help for the First in her time of need. Will you walk My Path?” Cody nodded.
“Then take up your given name, for you are Ardor a valiant warrior blessed by My Father the High King.” Unbuckling the sword about His waist the Prince held it and a shield out to Ardor. “This is a gift for you. You shall need it for you coming fight.” Receiving it Ardor lifted it out of the sheath that contained it. “The blade has been named Shalam, for it was created from the words of My Father’s mouth.”
His eyes upon the sword in his hand Ardor couldn’t help the smile that played over his face. The Blade of the sword was made of a precious stone pure in the state which it was taken. In our tongue it is Blood-stone, written within it in the tongue of ages passed was the prophecy of the Seeker. Looking to the Prince Ardor thanked him. Sheathing the sword Ardor buckled it around his waist, and went on his way. Walking his LORD's Path he went with swift and sure footing. Ardor came to the entrance into the mid-plane just as Negel released his hold on Amori.
He sensed more than saw when Theron’s son stepped over and into the mid-plane. He had given no thought to the man, seeing as he had been left with no possible way of finding them.
But here he stood, Negel’s gaze locked onto the sword that was held in Ardor’s hand then to him. A chilling realization being made known to the Dweller, this the son of Theron, was the Seeker. There was no denying it for he had been given the sword Shalam, and there he stood the weapon draw and ready for battle. He shot a brief glance Amori’s direction, before giving his attention over to Ardor, drawing out his own sword Ra’.
Amori walked to the Gate unaware of the battle that now ensued behind her. For she was being drawn in, down the stone path, by the Gate Forbidden it called out to her. Not in audible words, no, it was more a soft whisper. Words that seemed to be in sound, sweet to her natural ear and comforting, but in all actuality were sealing her doom. The closer she moved Amori saw once again the figure that had called to her in the vision she had had during their time in Eldon’s Sacrosanct, reaching its hand out to her. It stood on the inside of the Gate, but she could see it. For the Gate Forbidden was one that had been designed of thick bar railings, thus allowing one to see to either side, it not mattering whether you were on the inside or the outside. Upon the handle of the Gate doors there was also a huge lock that held with a seal upon it to keep it locked. It stretched its hand out farther towards her, beckoning her forward. Closer and closer she moved everything else around her fading into the background.
“AMORI!” Ardor called out her name but she did not stop. Lifting Shalam he took a blow from Negel. “She cannot hear you boy, try calling out louder.” He said taunting Ardor as he rained down blow after blow upon his opponents up raised shield.
Sword clashed against sword, sword against shield, as their battle became fiercer. Both were sending blow after blow, with neither seeing an opening. Until in a moment of distraction Negel turned his gaze on Amori. Seeing the opportunity given him Ardor took it, moving as lightening the man struck with his blade. Ardor knew that he had hit his mark when the Dweller let out a ghastly shriek. As Negel fell to his knees before the Seeker, Ardor pulled his sword clean out, before plunging it back in. Shalam struck true as it plunged into the Dweller’s heart. Negel’s body burst into a heap of smoke and flame, falling to the ground and vanishing completely.
Looking again to Amori Ardor called out to her.
Hand near touching the Gate’s handle Amori looked the creature in the eyes; when unexpectedly the lyrics stronger than before, rang clear, though this time they were sang by a voice so familiar to her.
Knowing that there was only one who could help her in the fight she was now in, Ardor sang with a deep baritone the song of Iysh-Chayil;
“When you feel all hope is falling, say the name of you recalling…”
Amori placed her hand on the lock lifting it with ease, it loosened for her. The feel of it was cool against the palm of her hand, zapping all warmth from her body. A searing went through her before it dropping falling away the seal broken.
“At the alter he dos’t stand. Be ye elf, Heavenly, Kings Knight, or mortal man.”
Grabbing the handles of the Gate Forbidden she paused. Ardor looked seeing at the moment what Amori was unable to. The two guards were now standing their eyes locked on her, both waiting to see what she was to decide. All realms stilled in that moment. As those who knew the song of Iysh-Chayil let the lyrics flow freely from their mouths, it rose up from their innermost selves, from the low valley plains of Eldon to the Great Mountains of Kadmiel.
“Say the name of your recalling, the name that all evil fear. The name the rocks and lands all sing. The name of the Immortal Prince ‘n King.”
The Prince Amadis whispered in her ear once more, “Say My name.”
With her very life and that of all those in both the seen and unseen realms, resting in her hands Amori cried out the one name. “AMADIS!”
Amori awoke to find herself freed from the Engraved Stone; the wounds she had received closed and healed.
Ardor entered the cave. As her gaze settled on him she rushed to his open arms, pulling her close Ardor rested his chin atop her head, giving a sigh of relief that ruffled the hairs there. Amori clung to him enjoying his unwavering strength after her ordeal. With his arms still around her, he took in the scene of the cave. His gaze spotting the dead body of Damalis slumped at the Engraved Stone in the same place that she had pledged herself to Negel from.
As his eyes roved to the far side of the cave they came to rest upon the limp and lifeless body of Leora. Lifting her head from his chest Amori peered in the same direction.
“She died trying to save me.” Releasing Amori he walked to where Leora’s body lay. Shutting her eyes he waited a moment before lifting her into his arms. Facing Amori with his grief-stricken face, he said. “We should be leaving now.”
Amori followed beside him, and she realized that this was no longer the Cody that she had known; this was a man before her now, one that had fought for her and won. Through it all Cody had managed to keep his promise, of keeping her safe. She looked to him from the corner of her eye. Cody was her chosen.