The Cold Light Fades - Book 1 of the Crystal Chronicles

Chapter Eleven - The Ruined Town

"How on Clanesta did you do that?" Garlent said as he stared at Alesson and his shining blade. Alesson just stood there unable to believe that he had slayed the dragon by himself.

"Alesson, that was amazing. Your father sure knew how to choose a good sword," Rakk said. "It took at least three men and beasts to take down one of those dragons back in Scorvain."

Alesson's knees began to shake, and he thought that he might collapse, so he lowered his sword and sat down on a nearby chunk of rock.

"Come on Alesson, I think you'd better explain to us just how you did that," Garlent said irritably.

"I think we'd better tell them everything Alesson," Linta said in a small voice as she pushed through to stand next to her sibling.

"Are you sure?" Alesson asked Linta and she nodded confidently. "Ok, when Inemi destroyed the Etherium, Linta and I started hearing a voice in our heads. At first, we thought it was our father, but it revealed to us that it's called the Soul of Light, a being that lived inside the Etherium. It somehow jumped into us when the stone was destroyed, and it's been helping and guiding us ever since. It was the Soul of Light that told me how to find the hidden passage out of the throne room, it was the soul that told me we had to go north to restore the Etherium and just now it told me how to make my sword glow."

Garlent's mouth dropped open, Narlia gasped and Rakk just looked confused. Surprisingly, it was Deltain who spoke first, the old sage was slumped on the ground near one of the carts and he was chuckling.

"You're just like your father, keeping secrets and stubbornly pursuing your own vengeful goals," Deltain said bitterly. "You don't care who gets hurt as long as you get what you want!"

Alesson's blood boiled as he listened to the old man's harsh words. The young prince jumped to his feet, fuelled by his anger and he stomped towards Deltain.

"Stop it Deltain. You are so consumed with your own self-pity that you don't know what you're saying. Do you really think my father died just to hurt you? We've been trying to talk to you about this for the past few days, but you've been hiding away from your duties and responsibilities. I care about everyone! You and my father taught me to put other people's concerns above my own and now you betray your own teachings."

Deltain looked up at the fuming prince, the bitterness drained out of the old man's face, and he began to weep.

"I'm sorry Alesson," Deltain said meekly. "I was right when I said you were like your father, but I said it for the wrong reasons. You sound just like him and he would be proud of you for setting me straight."

The grey-haired man stood up slowly and brushed off his dusty cloak and he investigated Alesson's eyes. "I will resume my duty to you and your sister effective immediately."

Alesson nodded at the old man and felt his rage subside and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Linta scrambled between the pair and hugged Deltain tightly.

A distant rumble sounded from the black cloud and Alesson remembered that they were still in danger.

"I think we'd better move further back away from the road," Garlent said as he peered at the dark mass of monsters. "It looks like they're heading for Entarus and that cloud is moving much faster than we are. We'll have to hide away for now and let them pass or we risk being discovered."

"We'd better hide that as well," Rakk added as he gestured toward the fallen grey soldier.

"Agreed. Rakk bury the body under some of the rubble. Everyone else should mount up and get moving, that cloud will be passing us very soon," Garlent replied.