SWNOVELS Chapter 12: A Message to all
Razahir nodded in understanding and climbed in. Tegus gave a nod to Ocelot and joined the sleeping dwarf and his potential new ally in the back.
They took off and heard chatter below as the crowds had turned to see the magical bronze carriage and mighty bronze stallion fly out of the district.
Chapter 12: A message to all
Norsewind woke up in Tegus’ chambers a little after they got back. He hadn’t known anything of what had happened since the alley so did not realize Razahir was not trying to harm Tegus, but protect him.
Norsewind looked around to see Razahir was sat at a table, intent on picking the lock on the lockbox. Norsewind stepped out of the bed quietly; he was just in his undergarments with no sign of his clothes. He did not know where Tegus was and did not want to alert the shadowed man at the table. He knew he had to act fast. He grabbed the bedpan and charged Razahir.
“Arghhh damned you, what have you done with Tegus!” Norsewind yelled in his assault.
Razahir’s reflexes far outweighed the dwarfs and in a second stood up, turned around and met the bedpan with a blade that was drawn from an unknown area. The bedpan was cut off the handle and fell onto the dwarf and smashed. Norsewind fell on his backside.
“So I finally meet Norsewind?” Razahir joked with him.
“Who are you and how did you get here?” Norsewind questioned.
Razahir smiled.
“I’m Razahir, half elf, a friend of the great Ilfirimain and now loyal friend of Grand Master Tegus Bulock.” he smiled, “Please forgive my actions in the alley I did not know who you were.”
At that Tegus and Kalthion returned after filling Kalthion in where he had been, who he had met and what had happened. They walked into the chambers to see Razahir towering over the dwarf who was sat down on the floor half naked with a shattered bedpan around him.
“I see you two have re-met” Tegus laughed.
“Norse get dressed, you’re embarrassing us!” Kalthion said pleadingly.
Norse stood up, “Where are my clothes?”
“Did you look on the other side of the bed?” Kalthion said.
Norsewind embarrassed rushed off to put them on.
Razahir walked across to Kalthion and said, “Finally glad to meet you Kalthion, Ilfirimain told me a lot about you.”
“Pleasures all mine Razahir, you have no idea, how long I have waited to meet you?” He smiled.
Razahir bowed in respect.
“How comes the lockbox?” Tegus asked.
“Done.” Razahir said confidently.
“Then why is it closed?” Tegus said.
Razahir only smiled and said, “I waited for you, just touch it,” and winked.
Sure-enough Tegus touched the top, and it opened. A bright light emerged, engulfing the room and blinding the onlookers.
Norsewind was now stood with the other three fully dressed.
They opened their eyes and all they could see was a bright white light in all directions. Then a figure emerged from within the light. As it became clearer, they all realised it was Ilfirimain!
Tegus said, “Master!”
Ilfirimain responded. “Do not get overly excited. This is simply a message I have left you all in the box and a magic spectre of myself. Once I have finished speaking it will return you to where you were.”
The illusionary Ilfirimain walked up to Norsewind and spoke.
“Dear Norsewind you’re a loyal friend to me and Kalthion, and you always watched over the students. I need you to now look out for Tegus and guide him to what you know is right. Never change, your personality made me smile on many occasions. Don’t let anything bring it down. You’re forever a true friend.” The phantom said as it smiled at Norsewind.
Norsewind unsure what to do just choked up the words, “Thanks Ilfy,” and smiled.
Next the phantom walked up to Kalthion.
“My dear big brother,” The phantom gave a smile,” To say elves live for a long time, we never spent much time as brothers. I know you often felt ashamed to be seen with me since I was Grand Master, and you didn’t want to seem as second best or less of a wizard, but I never have or ever would hold that against you. You are my brother, and I will love you eternally. Perhaps one day in another life we can correct the mistake of not spending enough time together. Remember me as your baby brother, not as the Grand Master.”
The phantom placed its ghost-like hand on Kalthion’s cheek.
Kalthion shed a tear and solely spoke to the spirit, “I will end Vakaroth’s plans, even if it means I simply join you.”
Tegus looked at the phantom as it came towards him. Razahir took a step back to try to learn all of the connections and work out his place in all of this.
The phantom reached Tegus and smiled.
“Ok.” Tegus said revealing a sigh.
“Tegus. You have no idea how powerful you are. I am sure you will find out though.” the spectre laughed and winked.
“There is much I want to tell and teach you beyond your student life, about my journey and what I was doing. You know the basics of the shards, but I have not told you their locations. I figured out where they were hidden. The only two places the locations of the shards are stored are in my head and on this message. If you’re listening to this, then I am no longer here. Once you have listened to this message it will not work again, so take in all I say.
“One is kept in the treasure room of the Skiv’ary. They are a race of warrior elves that dislike other races, and their only purpose is to guard their treasure. They are bred this way. They do not know of the shard’s power, as they would use it against others if they did. That is why you must get it before someone figures it out. It is a belt buckle, with a mighty ram head on it. It sits on a suit of barbaric armour in with the treasure room. The original wearer was one of the companions of Solaster. He took in a small group of elves, healed them and trained them to be mighty warriors. He charged them with the duty of treasure watches, which was also a front to guard his belt after he was gone. They were never told about the belt, and have now have lost their way and simply become a violent group of people who take whatever treasure passes their way and claim it as their own. This has only started happening under the new corrupt leader.
“The second is guarded by dwarves in Norsewind’s homeland. None know of the lands’ location as it is a gigantic moving bear that moves through the underground. The dwarf city is on its back. It is a sight and a half that I wish could witness you beholding it. Norsewind will be able to help you find it since it’s his home. Very few know it’s an over-grown bear. They believe it’s just hidden in the mountains; this is to protect it from attackers and also help protect the last shard. It is an earring. Its location is one only the honourable King Eldus knows, and almost no one knows he knows.
“These must be protected by worthy people. Otherwise, I feel they will fall into the wrong hands, especially with Vakaroth at large. No doubt he will somehow bring his full force and more. You must be ready. He must be brought down Tegus but remember, follow your heart but think with your head, and you will be able to defeat him. Tegus I know you will succeed.”
The phantom bowed to Tegus, and Tegus bowed back.
“Oh and take Razahir with you.” The phantom said as it looked towards Razahir and winked.
Tegus had his direction of where to go and what to do. He felt complete knowing his goals. He thought that was the end of Ilfirimain’s message until it re-spoke.
“Razahir” the phantom started.
“I am sorry I never told you before but…” the Phantom paused relaying the original recording, “you are my son!”
Razahir froze on the spot, not knowing what to say or think while the other three looked on just as surprised.
“I fell in love with your mother over 90 years ago. We were engaged, and she was the most beautiful human woman I had ever seen. One day while she was eight and a half mothers pregnant, she went to the town to get me an anniversary gift. She simply turned down the wrong alley and was mugged and killed for the coin in her purse. I heard her cries of pain in my mind and rushed to the town. She had been found by a gypsy woman who was nursing her in her caravan as I got there. Your mother was strong. She held out to see you into the world.”
The phantom paused collecting its thoughts again.
“She passed as you were born. The University would not allow you to grow up here. Times were different, so the gypsy women agreed to take you in and teach you to look after yourself. All these years I visited it was not for any one of the reasons I told you. It was simply a way for me to keep in touch. Every time I visited I wanted to tell you who I really was but the longer I left it, the harder it was. I wanted to abandon the University to be with you, but I knew your mother wouldn’t have wanted me too. She believed my being at the University would somehow, one-day help you and become part of a bigger calling. I hope you can forgive me for never telling you who I was and for not being there. I also hope you understand why I could not be. I love you my son.”
The phantom had tears of happiness and sadness running down its face at the same time.
Razahir was not one for ever dealing with feelings of this magnitude; he dropped to his knees, and his head hung low.
“I forgive you. I just wish you’d said,” he said as he looked up.
The phantom turned back to Tegus.
“You and Razahir have both suffered with loss and lost mothers in the same way. You understand each other’s emotions, and together you will overcome anything.”
At that the phantom dispersed, and the white faded back to the colour of the room.
“Well,” started Tegus, “where to start?”
Kalthion and Razahir were in silence but both felt a little closure after hearing Ilfirimain’s last words.
In spite of his current emotions, Norsewind felt more at peace with Ilfirimain’s fate.
Kalthion walked over to Razahir, as he reached him looking blank, he suddenly opened his arms and hugged Razahir.
“Nephew. It’s good to know there is still family.”
Razahir in contrast was used to being close with anyone and was unsure what to do, the hug surprised Kalthion a little. Razahir just embraced him back.
Norsewind, stood at the back, was saying a silent prayer for Ilfirimain and shed a tear, whether it was one from sadness for Ilfirimain or one of joy for Kalthion and Razahir, no one would ever know. Tegus somehow knew it was both rolled into one. He rested a reassuring hand on the dwarf’s shoulder and walked past him.
“You heard Ilfirimain, and where our goals are. So what first?” Tegus asked them. Kalthion and Razahir had stopped their hug, and Norsewind stood to attention.
“I think we should start with the dwarf’s homeland.” Kalthion pointed out, “At least we know where to start, or at least, Norsewind does.”
“Aye lad, us dwarves can always feel where it is.” He said proudly.
“Ok well tell us where to go, and me and Razahir will make our preparations.” Tegus stated.
“You aren’t going without me lad!” Norsewind protested.
“I need you and Kalthion here to look after the University.” Tegus pleaded back.
“That can be done with one person, and it’s about time I returned home for a visit. Plus, if you don’t bring me, I shan’t tell you of its location.” he winked in victory.
Tegus knew he wouldn’t hold the location at a time like this, but felt the dwarf deserved to reconnect with his kin.
“Fine, but then I want you to stay when we get back, I’d rather have two trusted master wizard’s responsible in case Vakaroth attacks. Plus, he will know we are not staying put. I’m sure he will have spies everywhere by now.”
Tegus’ protest was enough for Norsewind to agree that after a trip to his homeland, he would stay at the University.
“So where to start?” Tegus questioned.
“We need a device or powerful magic that can get us below ground, very far underground in fact.” Norsewind pointed out.
“I know a man, well a goblin, who can help. I used to wheel and deal with him. Good bloke but obsessed with gold and jewels. He will have a price, but he will be able to help.” Razahir told the rest of them.
“What’s his name?” Tegus asked.
“Takvar Greasehound.” Razahir said with a smile.
“Goblins bah, they always pestered us dwarves for special stones.” Norsewind spoke his mind.
“Right you are Master dwarf. However, he is also a master at creating machines. That is what we need. It might be worth bringing some of the special stones if you have any.” Razahir laughed.
“I can sort that.” Norsewind sighed at the idea of parting with jewels.
Although he had no problem parting with his treasures, he wasn’t always happy to see it go to goblins.