THE HIDDEN KEY

The Truth about Solem's Bane

Gilford slowly emerged through the door; staring at Braiden as he left the partially ruined tower and made his way back into the courtyard. "What will happen to the sword once it's been re-forged?"

"I'll return it to its resting place." Braiden stared at the round tower at the top of the hill before he turned towards Gilford. "There is no other way to lift the curse."

"How did they become cursed in the first place?" Gilford stared at Braiden, intrigued to find out more about Solem's Bane and how it had cursed the soldiers. Did it have something to do with the sword being broken...and who broke it?

His eyes fell upon the sword again. "Did Sozen..."

"No." Braiden stared at him. "Sozen didn't break the sword...I did."

"What?" Gilford stepped back. His pulse pounded inside his ears. "You fought in the war."

Braiden nodded and turned away. "I fought alongside Sozen."

"How were you not cursed?" Gilford glared at Braiden.

Braiden pulled his hood down as he turned towards Gilford. "Who said I wasn't cursed?"

"How come you didn't turn into a wraith like the others?" Gilford eyed Braiden up and down while he gazed at the black long-sleeve surcoat he was wearing. It was the same as the one Sozen wore. It even had the same coat-of-arms on the front. "Did Sozen give you the sword?"

"No..." Braiden paused staring back. "I seized it from him."

Gilford slowly uncrossed his arms while he stared at the pained expression on Braiden's face. Why did he take the sword from Sozen...and what did he do to him?

"Are you going to help me lift the curse?" Braiden arched his eyebrows while he crossed his arms.

Gilford turned away and while he gazed around the massive courtyard...the dismal mist was getting heavier, and the partially ruined ancient walls and towers started to slowly fade away before him...then suddenly a spine-chilling shriek echoed across the hilltops.

"What was that?" Braiden turned around.

"I don't know." Gilford quickly grabbed his bow. His pulse drummed in his ears and his hand trembled as he struggled to notch an arrow to the bowstring while he peered into the gloom...his eyes fell upon the silhouette of a tall well-built shadowy figure moving through the mist in his direction. He quickly drew the bowstring back and aimed at the figure as it closed in.

Braiden unsheathed his sword and glanced across at Gilford and quickly reached across and snatched the dagger off him.

"What are you doing?" Gilford glanced across at him.

"Saving us," Braiden turned away and as he placed the two weapons together. The red markings on the blades started to glow brightly while he pushed the two halves together: merging them into one weapon.

"What are you going to do?" Gilford glanced across at him before turning away again.

Braiden turned towards the shadowy figure; curling fingers around the leather grip as he grasped the long hilt with both hands before raising the blade before his face as he scowled and slowly went towards the figure as Eponie galloped through the mist. "You need to get out of here!"

Gilford stared at the shadowy figure as it unsheathed its long sword. "You can't face him alone!"

"Get out of here!" Braiden barked. "I'll cover your retreat!"