“That was some display,” Al said after they had all gone into a bed chamber to allow Lepkin to rest. Erik nodded silently.

“Erik,” Lepkin said softly. “No one can force you to take the test. If you decline to take it then your decision must be respected. Know that neither I nor Al will ever force you into this.”

“I know,” Erik said. “I’m sorry I broke into Al’s study.”

Master Lepkin chuckled softly. “Yes, I thought you had promised not to do that sort of thing anymore after you were caught in Lady Dimwater’s study.” Lepkin lay down on his back and placed a wrist over his eyes. “Are the healers on their way?”

“Yes,” Dimwater said softly. “They are coming.”

“Why can’t you help?” Erik asked innocently.

“I was in a great battle recently. Most of my energy was expended. It will take me several days to recover.”

“So, will either of you be coming with me?” Erik asked.

“I am afraid we will have to wait,” Dimwater replied. “I am too weak, and Lepkin must have time to recover from his wounds.”

“It sounds like the two of you ran into some warlocks,” Al guessed.

“Yes,” Dimwater replied. “They were of the same order as Tukai. The one I met was much more powerful though. I think he had been using a Shadowfiend’s help to supplement his magical abilities.”

“Could it have been the work of Be’alt the Black?” Lepkin asked.

“It’s possible, but it could have been another.” Dimwater sat on the bed next to Lepkin and gently wiped the man’s forehead with her sleeve. “Why didn’t you tell me that you tried to leave the monastery?”

“You knew why I couldn’t come. The horde was there,” Lepkin replied.

“But I never knew that you had tried to come before you saw the horde,” Dimwater said with a tear sliding down her cheek. “That makes a world of difference to me.”

Lepkin peered at her from under his wrist and smiled faintly for her.

The door opened and in walked Marlin, the new prelate, flanked by six other men in white robes. “I have brought the healers.”

“Shouldn’t you be in the council chamber,” Al scolded playfully.

“The new bishop is very quick to take to his position. He is whipping everyone into shape as we speak.”

“Good,” Lepkin said with a chuckle. “I am sure he will do well.”

“I must ask everyone to leave. Lady Dimwater, three of these healers have come for your aid if you would like.”

“Does the new prelate not see me in the same light as the last?” Lady Dimwater asked.

“Even when judging by auras, some are too blinded by the first colors they see to notice the heart within. Forgive the others.”

“It is forgotten,” Dimwater said.

“As for me,” Marlin continued. “I see only an ally to the cause. I am honored to have one who engenders the love of the Keeper in the temple. Perhaps I could be so bold as to ask for the honor of officiating at the wedding, if there is to be one.” Both Lepkin and Dimwater turned red in the face. “Forgive me,” Marlin said. “I see the love each of you carries for the other. I just assumed that it might be a desire for you both.”

“The only way I can earn the right to Dimwater’s hand is if Master Orres draws his sword against me. As I failed to show up for the duel, I have lost the right to initiate any challenge for her hand.”

“And Master Orres did not want your hand after he won it?” Marlin asked puzzled.

“For the same reason your order thinks I defile the temple, Master Orres holds the right to my hand but refuses to either marry me, or let Lepkin marry me,” Dimwater said quietly.

“Ah, forgive me,” Marlin said. “Is there any other way?”

Lepkin sat up and propped his elbow underneath to hold himself up. “Would everyone excuse us?” he asked. Dimwater and Al gave Lepkin questioning looks but they both nodded their heads. The healers all stepped out first, then Lady Dimwater. Al grabbed Erik’s shoulder and started to lead the boy out but Lepkin protested. “Erik can stay.”

Al glanced between the two and then shrugged as he walked out.

“What can I do for you?” Erik asked.

“We shall see,” Lepkin said with a smile. “Forgive me for not telling you about Gelleirt monastery before. I did not want you to find out about it like this.”

“It is alright, Master Lepkin,” Erik said with a smile.

“There is a journal in the saddlebag sitting on the floor by the wall. The pages are blank on the inside. Can you go and get it, Erik?” Erik nodded and rushed to get the journal.

“Is this it?”

“Anecdotes of the Forgotten Traveler,” Marlin said as he caught a glimpse of the title. “Might I ask whose journal it is?

“First I must ask something,” Lepkin said. “How good is Erik? Can he discern between truth and error?”

“Most of the time,” Marlin said.

“Could he tell if you were lying, or trying to hide something?” Lepkin asked. Marlin frowned, but nodded that Erik would know.

“I have been training with Marlin, er I mean the prelate,” Erik said.

“You may call me Marlin,” Marlin said with a smile. “We are first and foremost, friends, never to be separated by titles and offices.” Marlin roughed Erik’s hair and then looked back to Lepkin. “Erik would know if I tried to lie. What is it you ask of me?”

“There is one way that I can win back the right to Lady Dimwater’s hand,” Lepkin said. Hope glinted in his eyes as he held up the book. “If I find proof of misdeeds by Orres, or if I can find anything that disputes his honor, I will have the right to challenge him again.”

“Ah, so this is Orres’ journal then?” Marlin asked.

“It is locked with a spell. The words are invisible. I can not unlock it, but I can’t have someone else unlock it either unless I am certain that the person doesn’t tamper with it.”

“Ah, so you would have me unlock the journal for you, with Erik here to verify that I have not tampered with it. Is that it?” Marlin asked.

“That is what I want. Can it be done?”

Marlin looked back to Erik. “I must explain that if we do this, and Orres proves to be in fault, he and your master will duel to the death. If you help me unlock this journal, you will be partly responsible.”

Erik mulled that over in his head for a moment. “I will do it on one condition,” he said. “After this, I am allowed to return to my house and help my father. I think I know what the prophecy means, and I think I can beat it.”

“Erik, the prophecies of warlocks cannot be beaten, they will always come true. Perhaps not in the way we expect, but they’re always fulfilled,” Master Lepkin replied. His smile was kind and gentle, helping a little to take the edge off of his words. “But, if that is your wish, then I grant it. However, I ask that you allow Al to accompany you. He is a fine warrior, and will put your life above his own if need be.”

“I could send some members of the temple guards as well,” Marlin offered.

“The temple guards are not looked upon well by most citizens of the realm,” Lepkin countered. “Besides, two horses are quieter than six or eight. And, I will need the guard here.”

“I understand,” Marlin said quickly.

“So, I can go right after this journal is unlocked?” Erik asked.

“As long as Al goes with you,” Lepkin said with a nod.

“So, what do we do to unlock the book?” Erik asked.

*****

Janik stretched his left leg and rubbed behind the knee with his right hand. Senator Bracken sat across the table from him, with his attendants sitting well out of earshot at another table in the back of the little inn.

“The pain is still there?” Senator Bracken asked.

“Demons inflict wounds that have ways of sticking with you,” Janik replied with a crooked grin. “But you know all about that, don’t you?” Senator Bracken smiled back and nodded as he sipped some of his ale from the dark ceramic mug before him. “How did your meeting with King Threntonsirai go?”

“Better than I had hoped,” Senator Bracken said. “As you know, the dwarf king has turned away from the ways of the Ancients. He has also vowed to stay in Roegudok Hall, no matter what kind of enemy attacks King Mathias.”

“He said that?” Janik’s eyebrows shot up and he leaned back in his chair with a pleased smile on his face.

“Well, he said it in so many words,” Senator Bracken replied. “Your friend Lepkin showed up too. He can vouch for my story, if he’s still alive that is.”

“I wouldn’t underestimate him,” Janik said. “He’s harder to kill than a cockroach made of stone.”

“So I have heard. Either way, if he is not dead, he is certainly not in good shape. How are things going on your end?”

“I was able to get the knife from Orres’ safe. He had confiscated it from Eldrik only the week before for wearing it at Kuldiga Academy. I gave it to Sir Duvall, who promptly stuck it in the magistrate’s back.”

“I bet that did not sit well with Mr. Stilwell,” Senator Bracken chuckled.

“No,” Janik replied as a barmaid came over and refilled his mug. “They certainly keep good help around this inn,” Janik said, looking over the woman’s figure.

“Yes, they do,” Senator Bracken agreed. He eyed the short, blonde woman from head to toe with thirsty eyes. “I shall have to make a point of returning here after our business with House Lokton is concluded.” The barmaid blushed shyly and skittered away quickly once she was done filling their mugs. “Back to the topic at hand,” Senator Bracken said after watching the barmaid leave. “What do we do about Erik?”

“Ah, yes the boy still walks among the living,” Janik said. “We can’t have that.”

“No, we can’t,” Senator Bracken replied wickedly.

“Not to worry my friend. I have Sir Duvall bombarding Valtuu Temple with pleas for Erik to return home and defend House Lokton’s honor. The boy did go through the Konn Deta after all, so he is bound by honor to answer the call.”

“You forget,” Senator Bracken interjected, raising a finger in the air. “Lepkin will never let Erik see those messages. He knows the boy would run back. Lepkin is not that foolish.”

“Perhaps not,” Janik replied with a nod. “But I know Erik very well. I have befriended the boy over many months. I know that sooner or later his curiosity will get the better of him. He will get his hands on one of those letters, and then it is game over. Not even Lepkin will be able to talk sense into the boy. Erik will go back in hopes of stopping that prophecy, if nothing else.”

“You would know better than I what will work on the boy,” Senator Bracken said with a shrug.

“Yes, I would,” Janik agreed. “And then, once Erik, and Lepkin if he is alive, walk into our trap I will dispose of them.”

“Erik first of course,” Senator Bracken put in.

“Of course,” Janik said. “And you will be there too, to pick up the pieces of the two houses after they clash. After all, a senator must keep order in the kingdom.”

“Indeed,” Senator Bracken chuckled devilishly. “And all the while, Wizard Erthor will be marching on Valtuu Temple to retrieve Nagar’s Secret. Without Lepkin or Erik there to stop him, it will be like taking candy from a baby.”

“Especially with that overzealous prelate in charge of the place,” Janik put in. “Perhaps if we are lucky, the prelate will already have sent Erik through the Test of Arophim and the boy will be dead. No matter though, for if Erik is alive, the prophecy of Tukai will nag at his core until he finally returns.”

“Mmm, I suppose that might work,” Senator Bracken replied. “Let us drink to the memory of Tukai.” Senator Bracken raised his mug into the air. “His sacrifice will not be in vain.”

“Truly, he will receive his reward when the book is found and opened.” Janik clicked his mug to Senator Bracken’s and then the two drank deeply. The door to the inn opened then. The night air swept in like flooding water. The two looked up and smiled at the sight of Sir Duvall.

“Greetings, gentlemen,” Sir Duvall said quietly as he removed his cloak.

“You are late,” Janik said as Sir Duvall sat in a chair next to him.

“It is harder to get away with all of House Lokton running patrols and drills all day long. You wouldn’t believe what I had to say to get out of drills for this meeting.”

“No matter, we will be finished with House Lokton soon.” Janik motioned with his hand toward Senator Bracken. “Have you been introduced?” Janik asked Sir Duvall.

“I know of Senator Bracken, though I have not had the pleasure of meeting him.” Sir Duvall extended his hand in greeting, but Senator Bracken did not take it.

“The senator has, regretfully, been dead for months now. I only take the form of his body.”

“Then, who are you?” Sir Duvall asked.

“His name is Gondok’hr,” Janik said. “He is a member of the Order of the All Seeing Eye. He was well acquainted with Tukai, who came to Erik’s Konn Deta feast.”

“I did not know we were keeping company with warlocks,” Sir Duvall grumbled.

“It does not matter who we work with,” Janik said. “It matters only that we win, and that our allies have goals that are in line with our own.” Janik finished his ale and smiled as he clapped Sir Duvall on the back. “Gondok’hr has been working the senate over the last few months, and the king of the dwarves as well. We are almost perfectly poised to make our move.”

“Except for House Lokton and House Cedreau, that is,” Gondok’hr added with a wicked grin. “Tell me, Sir Duvall, will the two houses fight each other?”

Sir Duvall looked from Janik to Gondok’hr with a somber expression. He leaned forward on the table, resting on his elbows and looking at the table for a moment before he began speaking. “As I have sworn, I have done all that has been asked of me. I spread the rumor of the prophecy-”

“The prophecy is not a rumor,” Gondok’hr cut in. “You should not insult warlocks so. The prophecy will come to pass.”

“Yes,” Sir Duvall said. “I meant only that I created dissent among House Lokton by spreading it around. It has definitely affected the morale of the men Lord Lokton commands, I can tell you that. It has gone around so much that I didn’t even have to imply that the prophecy was behind the Magistrate’s murder. I killed the magistrate and planted the knife of Cedreau’s eldest boy in the man’s back and when I led Mr. Stilwell to it, Stilwell himself swore that it was the beginning of the prophecy. The night after we spoke with Lord Lokton, I arranged to set Mr. Stilwell free. I led him to House Cedreau and Mr. Stilwell fired an arrow through Eldrik’s bedroom window.” Sir Duvall dug his thumbnail into the wood of the table nervously. “Only, we didn’t kill Eldrik. Mr. Stilwell slew Timon, Lord Cedreau’s youngest son.”

“Mmm, the irony is delicious,” Gondok’hr said with a sneer. “I am sure the death of the youngest son was enough to call up the armies of House Cedreau.”

“And Lord Lokton has called his up in defense. They are to meet on the field tomorrow for a parlay, but I will make sure that the two houses fight.” Sir Duvall stopped digging the wood with his thumbnail and looked up with a grin of his own. “When Lokton and I ride out to parlay with Lord Cedreau and his eldest son, I will have Mr. Stilwell hiding in the trees nearby. He has instructions to fire his arrow and kill Eldrik.” Sir Duvall sat back and folded his arms proudly.

“And what if Eldrik is not involved with the parlay?” Gondok’hr asked.

“No problem,” Sir Duvall said with a wave of his right hand. “Mr. Stilwell will kill Lord Cedreau instead, and if neither of them show up for the parlay, then Mr. Stilwell will slay Lord Lokton with the arrow. Any way it goes down, it will look as though one house has betrayed the other. The knights will not stand for it. There will be blood tomorrow, a lot of it.”

*****

Erik and Al rode hard and fast, skirting the southern border of Lord Cedreau’s land and heading for Lokton Manor as fast as they could. Both of their horses were lathered with sweat, but neither steed showed signs of slowing. Goliath led the way, with Erik on his back. Al was two horse lengths behind, but keeping up pretty well. Since leaving the temple they had not stopped, except to sleep for just a couple of hours and rest their horses. They either ate their meals while riding, or skipped the meals altogether.

They arrived at the border between House Lokton’s holdings and House Cedreau’s just before noon. They rode to the top of a fairly large foothill, covered with green and brown grasses, to afford them a look around. Erik stood in his stirrups and looked out beyond the forest on the other side of the hill. His heart almost stopped in his chest when he saw the two armies facing each other. He hoped he wasn’t too late.

The two armies consisted of several hundred men, most carrying spears, led by a score or so men on horseback. Lord Lokton rode in front of House Lokton’s army. Erik could tell because he could see the green cape flowing in the wind behind as Lord Lokton trotted his horse proudly toward the center of the field. Another knight rode with him, though Erik could not tell who it was. None of the knights in Lord Lokton’s service wore distinguished capes or carried flags. Their armor was all made by Demetrius, so there was no telling them apart, except for the family crests they would display on their shields, and Erik was too far away to see the knight’s shield.

Two men rode out in front of House Cedreau’s army. Erik guessed that the one was Lord Cedreau, as he also wore a flowing cape with the colors of his house. The other man next to him looked to be one of the knights in his service, but Erik couldn’t tell for sure.

“They are going to parlay,” Al said.

Erik nodded. “I know.”

“If that prophecy is true, it could be that you get your father killed by riding down there to help. The other army might see it as a sign of aggression,” Al said.

“I should ride at my father’s side,” Erik said. “Perhaps if we come toward the back, from that side of the forest over there we won’t look like a threat.” Erik pointed to a far of section of the forest.

“Perhaps,” Al said noncommittally.

Erik turned and was about to say something when shouting erupted from the field. He snapped his head back around to see what had happened. Lord Cedreau was on the ground. “Did he fall from his horse?” Erik asked.

“No boy, he didn’t. I think someone struck him with an arrow, but I can’t be certain from this distance.” The two armies started sprinting across the field at each other.

Erik’s mouth fell open in horror as he watched Lord Lokton and the knight at his side flee the scene. They were galloping back to the safety of the army. “Come on,” Erik said. He urged Goliath onward. Al grunted and offered a quick prayer to the Gods while trying to keep up.

“Erik, your blade will not make a difference in this battle, we should sit it out,” Al said as the two loped toward the tree line on their horses. Erik shot him a sour look and clenched his jaw. He spurred his horse faster. Al’s horse stumbled as its right foreleg went straight into a prairie dog hole. The dwarf launched into the air and slammed into a half grown pine tree. He would have called out to Erik, but the wind had been knocked out of him. At the pace Erik was riding, Al wasn’t sure the boy would have heard him anyway. Mentally he berated the boy and fumed about the impatience of the tall folk.

By the time Erik entered the forest, sounds of battle had overtaken the entire area. Metal rang out like thunder and the shouting and wailing of men rose and fell like great waves of the sea. He hoped his father would be alright. Grudgingly, he slowed Goliath down to a quick trot. The forest was too dense for galloping at full speed.

He wound through the trees as fast as he dared. He didn’t want his horse to stumble or lose its footing on the thick underbrush or the dead tree limbs that cracked and snapped below its hooves. Erik turned back to say something to Al, and then realized that the dwarf was not with him. Erik looked all around, scared that perhaps Al had been taken down by unseen enemies that had hid in the forest. Finally he saw the dwarf standing near his fallen horse. The horse was obviously hurt.

“Can’t stop now, Al,” Erik apologized in a whisper. Erik turned away from Al and went on with Goliath. He made it about half way through the thick mass of trees when Goliath stopped suddenly. Erik tapped the horse with his heels, but the animal did not move. “Come on, boy, we can’t stop now,” Erik pleaded. “We are too close.”

A twig snapped to Erik’s right. Erik drew his sword before his mind had even wrapped itself around the noise. He was not alone.

*****

“It is done,” Mr. Stilwell said with a smile on his face.

Sir Duvall smiled. “That was a good shot, my friend,” Sir Duvall said. “An inch to the right or left would not have been fatal, but then again, you always were the best shot I knew.” Sir Duvall dismounted and motioned for Mr. Stilwell to follow him to a small grove of trees. “There is someone I want you to meet.”

“Who?” Mr. Stilwell asked. Sir Duvall just nodded toward that grove. The two entered the grove and inside stood a man with senatorial robes. “What is this?” Mr. Stilwell asked. His hand went down to his sword. Sir Duvall took a few steps back and patted the air with his hands.

“Steady, my young friend,” Gondok’hr, still in the form of Senator Bracken, said. “I have asked to meet you only because I admire your courage.” Mr. Stilwell looked from the senator to Sir Duvall. His face showed his distrust. “I understand your trepidation, Mr. Stilwell, but it is unwarranted.”

“Mr. Stilwell, this is Senator Bracken,” Sir Duvall said, for that was how he was told to introduce Gondok’hr.

“What do you want with me?” Mr. Stilwell asked.

“I understand that you were able to take justice into your own hands, is this so?” Senator Bracken asked.

Mr. Stilwell looked back to Sir Duvall. Sir Duvall nodded and smiled, showing that Senator Bracken could be trusted. “It is true. Lord Lokton would not enact justice, so I did.”

“That is very impressive,” Senator Bracken commented. “Have you told anyone else about this?”

“No, senator, I am not a fool,” Mr. Stilwell said proudly.

Senator Bracken looked into Mr. Stilwell’s eyes for a moment, as if searching for the truth of the man’s words. Finally he nodded his head and smiled. “He hasn’t told anyone. That is good.” Senator Bracken looked up to Sir Duvall. “And I trust you were also equally discreet?”

“Of course, senator,” Sir Duvall said. “I would not dare jeopardize my assignment.”

“Good, I am glad to hear it.” Senator Bracken turned back to Mr. Stilwell and smiled warmly. “Sir Duvall has struck a deal with an associate of mine. In return for causing disharmony between the two houses, he has been promised a grand estate, with vast holdings. What has Sir Duvall promised you, Mr. Stilwell?”

“What is he talking about, Sir Duvall?” Mr. Stilwell asked. His hand hovered back over his sword.

“What are you doing?” Sir Duvall asked Senator Bracken.

“Ah, so Sir Duvall hasn’t told you that it was really he who killed your cousin, the magistrate?” Senator Bracken pressed. The warlock could feel the rage rising within Mr. Stilwell. To Gondok’hr, the smell of a man’s rage was better than the smells of a feast. He enjoyed toying with people in such ways.

“That is crazy, I would never do anything like that,” Sir Duvall lied. Mr. Stilwell loosened his sword from its scabbard and took two steps toward Sir Duvall. The knight pulled his own sword free and held it at the ready.

“I trusted you,” Mr. Stilwell shouted. “I killed those people.”

“Ah yes, Lord Cedreau and his young son,” Senator Bracken cut in with a laugh. “They were completely innocent, I can tell you that for sure. I’m sorry Mr. Stilwell, but it looks like you are very much the fool.”

“Enough,” Sir Duvall yelled at the false senator.

Mr. Stilwell lunged forward and swung blindly with his sword. Sir Duvall blocked the wild swings and came in low with a stab to Mr. Stilwell’s midsection.

Gondok’hr watched the scene unfold with delight. His elation peaked when Mr. Stilwell fell on his back, clutching the mortal wound in his stomach. The man tried to curse Sir Duvall, but there was not strength enough left in him for it.

“That was lovely,” Senator Bracken said after Mr. Stilwell’s life had seeped from him.

“Why did you do that?” Sir Duvall asked. “We could have used him. That was completely unnecessary. Besides, you put me in danger with that stunt of yours.”

“My, my, Sir Duvall, quite the temper you have there. But I am afraid that this man was no more than a loose end that needed tying off. As for the danger, let me ask you something. Which man in this grove is the most powerful?”

Sir Duvall scrunched his eyebrows into a knot above the bridge of his nose. Then, as if realization had dawned on him his mouth opened wide and he dropped his sword to the ground. “Wait, I’m not a loose end. I can still be of use. Don’t do this, I beg of you.”

“I like it when men beg for their lives,” Gondok’hr said with a smile. “Though, it is not as pleasing to me as when they become angry enough to fight for their lives. That is a much sweeter entertainment for me. But I shall make do with what I have before me.”

“No, please, I won’t tell anybody. I can still help.”

“That won’t be necessary anymore,” Gondok’hr replied with a wicked grin. The warlock stretched out a bony finger and pointed at Sir Duvall. The knight turned and fled. The last sound he heard was the cackle of lightning.

*****

“Erik, is that you?” a familiar voice called out from the nearby brush. “It’s me, Janik,” the man said.

“Janik?” Erik asked, lowering his sword just a bit. A smile creased his face when his crippled friend limped out from the bushes. Erik wondered why he was here, and how he had gotten here. Janik’s forest garb and sword attested that this was no chance journey. “What are you doing here?” Erik asked as he jumped down from Goliath.

“I came to check on you and your father. I heard you were sent away from Kuldiga Academy, so I thought you might be here. It looks like I came in the nick of time.”

“You did,” Erik replied. “Come on, we have to get to my father, he is in the battle.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that,” Janik said with a frown. “I have heard about the prophecy that Tukai gave at your Konn Deta feast. I don’t want to risk it coming true.”

“But my father might die out there right now. We have to go to him.”

“Don’t worry, my friend,” Janik said with a big wave of his sword. “Lady Dimwater is here, and she has woven a protection spell around your father.”

Erik’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be true? Could Lady Dimwater be here already? She had said she needed to rest. But, then again, if she had been able to rest a little bit she could have used her magic mirror to get here even before he and Al arrived. He was about to ask about it when Janik spoke first.

“Is Master Lepkin with you?” Janik asked.

Erik shook his head slowly. If Lady Dimwater had come, surely she would have told Janik about Lepkin’s condition. Something wasn’t right. “No, Lepkin is not with me.”

“Where is he, Erik, is he alright?” Janik pressed.

Erik didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t sure what was going on. He summoned his power, testing to see if the real Janik stood before him. After he had used his power, Janik still stood there, smiling patiently and waiting for the answer. “He is back at the temple,” Erik answered finally.

“Ah, I see,” Janik said. Erik caught the smallest hint of a frown.

“Is something wrong?” Erik asked.

“No, my boy, I just wish he was here to help, that’s all.”

“When did Lady Dimwater arrive?” Erik asked.

“She came with me just a few hours ago,” Janik said. “We used her magic portal.”

Erik felt something stir inside of him. He knew without a doubt that Janik was lying. The thought went through Erik’s mind that maybe some other warlock had tricked Janik into thinking that he was with Lady Dimwater, but his intuition told him the truth of the matter. Erik’s heart burned. He could feel Janik’s ill intentions for him. He had to think, and think quickly.

“Janik, I should go back to the edge of the forest, I brought something that might help us,” Erik lied.

“What is it boy?” Janik asked in return.

“Just wait here, I’ll go get it,” Erik said. He turned Goliath and put his heels hard into the horse’s side. The horse galloped off the way they had come in, but Erik didn’t get far. An invisible force knocked him from Goliath’s back and dropped him on the ground like a sack of manure. He landed hard on his back and the wind rushed out from him. His lungs stuck together and he couldn’t draw any new air in. He clutched at his chest and squirmed on the ground as his eyes teared up.

“Erik,” Janik called out. Erik could hear Janik’s left leg dragging through the dirt and twigs as Janik approached. “I can tell when you’re lying.” Erik heard the sound of metal slicing through wood. The dull ring of Janik’s sword frightened him. He recalled the words Lady Dimwater had said back in her study. Erik now knew that she had been right. Janik was no weak opponent, despite his deformity.

Erik finally was able to draw a breath into his lungs. He jumped to his feet and sprinted away. If he couldn’t fight Janik, then perhaps he could outrun him. He slammed into another invisible wall and fell back to the ground. His nose started bleeding and his lip stung where his bottom teeth had split the skin on impact with the wall.

“Erik, my boy, I am disappointed.” Janik limped closer, now dragging the tip of the sword through the dirt. “The apprentice who dueled so many in a single day is now afraid to fight a cripple. What will your father think when I tell him?”

Erik rose to his feet. “Alright,” he said as he wiped the blood from his face. He gripped his sword tight and slowly stepped forward. He knew he couldn’t run, so he prepared to fight to the last. He harnessed the image of his father in his mind. He saw Lord Lokton peeling oranges in the solarium. Then his mind turned to Raisa, and then to Braun. Soon he pictured every member of House Lokton and the surrounding villages. He focused on these people. He would fight for them. Erik let out a yell and came forward, sweeping his sword at Janik’s side.

Janik laughed and clapped a nearby tree with the flat of his blade. A shockwave ripped through the area, sending Erik to his back again. “Shame, Erik,” Janik teased. “We could have been friends in another life.” Janik stuck his sword into the dirt and then stretched his hand toward Erik. His pointer finger aimed directly at Erik’s chest.

Erik blinked through bleary eyes and concentrated his power again on Janik. His mind focused on something that his natural eyes could not see. Again he thought of his loved ones, and then he thought of all that he had learned at Valtuu Temple. If he died now, the realm was doomed. He hoped that somehow his power and his recent training would rescue him. A blinding white light burst out around Erik like a flaming shell. Janik’s lightning spell reflected off of the white shell and shot up through the trees into the sky.

“What is this?” Janik cried. He let another bolt of lightning loose, but again it bounced off of the shell harmlessly.

Erik seized the moment. He rose back to his feet and charged Janik, the shell moved with him. Janik loosed a flurry of magical bolts, but none of them pierced the shell. Janik then turned to pull his sword from the ground, but it was too late for him. Erik thrust his sword through Janik’s chest and twisted it with a quick jerk of his wrists.

Janik cried out in pain and fell backward over a rotting log. “You haven’t won,” Janik said weakly. “Tukai’s prophecy will still come to pass.”

“I will not slay my father,” Erik said defiantly. “You can take that prophecy of yours down to hell.”

“No, you won’t,” Janik said as blood trickled out the corner of his mouth. “But Lord Lokton’s real son will.”

“What do you mean?” Erik cried out. “Tell me what you mean, who is the real son?”

Janik’s head turned and his body relaxed as life left him. An amulet slipped out from under his tunic to rest on the ground beside him. Erik walked over and knelt down, looking at the gold amulet. The white shell dissolved around him as he bent down to turn the amulet over. It held the same engraved symbol on it as the amulet Tukai had worn.

“So, he was a warlock too,” Al said as he emerged from the bushes.

Erik looked up, startled at first, but then sighed with relief when he saw Al. But, something was different. The dwarf walked a little slower, and his beard had faded and turned almost gray, as had his hair. “What happened to you?” Erik asked.

Al smiled and nodded. “It will take some getting used too,” he said as he cupped the beard in his hand and examined it. “I never really like gray beards myself. But, then again I guess it just matches the stone of the mountains I love better than red eh?”

“What caused it?” Erik asked.

“You don’t know?” Al asked with a perturbed look on his face. “It talks all about it on page three hundred and six of…” Al paused for a moment. “Sorry, I didn’t get to that book before Marlin started training with you.” Al waved his hand as if to dismiss the matter, but Erik wasn’t about to let it go.

“What is it?” Erik pressed.

“It is the effect of a powerful magic spell called Stone Shell. In case you were sleeping, it was the bright white thing that wrapped around you,” Al said with a slight smile.

“Oh, I thought I created that,” Erik admitted.

“Sorry to hurt your ego,” Al said with a shrug. “But it was me. It is a special power that dwarves have. We only use the spell in times of extreme need. This was one of those times though.” Al smiled and sat down on the rotten log.

“Why does it turn your hair gray?” Erik asked.

“It just puts a dwarf under a lot of stress,” Al lied. He didn’t want to tell Erik that casting Stone Shell had cost him half of his natural life. Even if he hadn’t been too proud to admit that he was now an old dwarf, he cared for Erik too much to let the matter weigh on his mind. The boy didn’t deserve that kind of guilt. Besides, by Al’s reasoning half of a life was a fair price to pay to save the one who could rescue the whole realm. “I am afraid I won’t be much use for a day or two, Erik. I will have to sleep to regain my strength.”

Erik nodded. “I will take you to my father’s house. You will be safe there.” Erik again heard the din of battle and hoped his father was alright. For now he had to forego aiding his father. Al was already sleeping, and Erik knew how vulnerable the dwarf really was. He had seen through the lie that Al had given him. Erik smiled at Al. He was indeed a very good friend, and as Lepkin had said, would lay down his life to protect Erik.