A Shield of Faith (BOOK 4)

Chapter 34

FENRER

Magick splattered across the flow and created the bridge to the lands of Velteraiia, where the sounds of drums echoed in his heart. Over the myriad of ocean waves which lapped at the shore. He inched his way to the translucent stone at the lack of spirits on the other side, enjoying their rest of revelry through the thick cover of trees and massive cliffs to put Sivaport to shame. Voices clamored. Auras bright. Joyful and free. A sense of insatiable, childish curiosity tugged him closer, but he slammed to a stop when a voice rumbled with the might of kings, in familiar, but at the same time, old Hanekan, "You do not belong here, little one. Where you stand is where you stay until the world returns to bring you forth to the halls."

Out of the shadows, a massive man stepped through the undergrowth with a greatsword strapped to his back, still not quite an unwieldy weapon for a man of his size. He wore old, traditional Hanekan garb, tight leathers and furs from successful hunts wrapped around his shoulders. Mist flecked off his dark brown hair when he stopped at the edge of the steps. In the pale river which flowed underneath the bridge, Fenrer raised an arm to his brow to shield his eyes from the resplendent memories and the rising dawn. A wolven headdress covered the top of his head, and fell down onto his shoulders to connect with the rest of his leather armor. The spirit blurred when it heaved itself onto the bridge, and Fenrer trembled at the shadow the spirit extended closer to him, gigantic in both spirit and body.

Taller than Father.

Fenrer swayed on his feet, and took small steps back when the giant came closer. "Who are you?" he mumbled and wiped his brow again, trying to hold onto the starry tangle before it disappeared into the mist. He focused on the headdress, but the world tipped over, and he sank to his knees, smaller than ever before at the mercy of the giant.

"As you are a Warden to Aztryxer — as am I one of many Wardens to the vaunted lands of Velteraiia." He came closer, but the spirit stopped at his end of the bridge and withdrew his greatsword, slamming it into the brick below to separate Fenrer from distant memories. "You will not find what you seek here. What you seek remains in the land of the living. Your presence brings naught more than an unsettled reminder to the peaceful dead."

"I didn't mean to disrupt the rest." Fenrer leaned around him to try and catch a glimpse of someone familiar, but pulled himself back to the giant when he put both hands on the hilt of the greatsword. He tried to catch his breath, but the land shuddered when he dug his fingers into it and heat waves crashed along his shoulder blades. "I just keep finding myself here..."

"Ever was the curse of those born with the eyes of crystal," the giant said, unwavering. "You toe this bridge, even without you as at the door as you are. You are a vessel to the restless souls who have yet to cross. Yet." He dragged the greatsword out of the brick and lowered it to his face. "You still do not belong, and as a Warden, I must see to the domain's peace from the living, Aurus. Slip back into yourself, and take heart that those lost are safe and enjoying their time until the cycle continues back into the planes."

Fenrer reached out to the sword, but found the world spinning upside down straight into the blanket of darkness as he grasped for Dad's hand. Water dripped down his temples, and he tore open his eyes to a gentle lamplight hooked on the ceiling of one of the healing wards. He touched the cloth glued to his brow, but the fiery forge no longer blasted at his skin with the previous ferocity. Ugh. He used an elbow to prop himself up, tugging at his shirt, confused.

"Fen."

Fenrer froze at the voice which spread silver lilybells across the plane through the roots of compassion. "Adara?" he questioned and swung around for the source, but the world wriggled from the defiant motion, and he put a hand against his brow when she lowered the book to the small table beside her. He read the title; Hanekan, though he tried to wrap his head around when Adara learned his home tongue, but it left him out of time, and he rasped, "How long was I out?"