Legend: Light after Darkness -Book II

Part XV - Over

Previously...

After Gump and Oona find the wise and elusive mystic, Morla, in the swamps of sadness, they learn that the Southern Oracle has already sent orders to the Unicorns to appoint a challenger that can withstand the trials of the Oracle.

Meanwhile, Vallon starts to train Jack in battle, discovering he is more equipt than first realised.
As they rest between exercises, King Roland tries to find out more about Lili's turn to darkness in Vallon's dimension, in hopes he can avoid the outcome.

Vallon resists in speaking of it, stating the pain is too great to recount. As Vallon fights against King Roland's demands for clarity, Gump and Oona arrive back at castle informing Vallon and King Roland that they must urgently find the Unicorns...

Will the unicorns choose a challenger to meet the oracle? Or, Will Lili be tempted to return to Darkness, before they can find an answer to saving her and the unborn empress..?

Part XV

"The unicorns..?" Vallon asks, "We can't be sure they are near. If they are outside the boundaries of the protection spell, we too, will be unprotected when seeking them."

"It's a risk we must take." Gump insists, " The shield will sustain as long as the spell is intact. Oona, you stay here and maintain the spell." Gump commands, much to Oona's protest.

"I survived the lure of the swamps of sadness, I can withstand this, too." Oona protests.

"Your connection to Darkness may find it to tempting for him to seek vengeance upon you." Gump warns.

" And, I would deserve it." Oona adds, understanding her fate should she go with Gump, yet her objection stays firm, " Please, Gump. Let me stand with you."

"I volunteer." Vallon interjects,
" Gump is right, Oona. You are too compromised."

" No, I can do this. Please trust me Gump." Oona argues, her eyes fierce and sincere.

"No, both of you must stay here and guard Lili and keep the spell intact. Jack must go with me. He can speak with the unicorns, they don't share their language with fairy folk."

"Then, I insist you take me." Vallon suggests,

"You're no longer halfling, the unicorns won't speak with you..." Gump argues.

"Yes, they will. I am not a sprite born with a past unknown to me. I was halfling, as Jack is now. It was Lili that turned me back. Once she understood her power - the corrupted power of the empress inside her - she turned me back into a sprite so I could not take seat upon the throne as a halfling. The unicorns know me in that place and time, as they do now. Their experiences are omnipresent. Jack, should stay here."

" But, you have lost so much, already, Vallon. There is no guarantee we will find them within the boundaries of the protection shield, if we are to find them at all?" Oona tries to reason, yet Vallon's choice is resolute.

" All I could lose, is already gone in my world. This world...it belongs to Jack. He still has something to defend. Besides, he is the last of his kind. Only a halfling can safely take seat of the valtorian throne and expel its curse. We need to protect him as much as Lili." Vallon reasons with no objection.

Vallon then turns to Gump, sincere, " You only need one sprite to see you in and out of the forest, let that sprite be me."

Gump nods in agreement, then turns back to Oona, placing a soft and reassuring hand upon her shoulder, "Oona, it is because I do trust you, that I ask you to stay here with Jack and Lili. I need you to maintain the spell while I am gone. We all need you."