The Dreamer's Blood

Chapter 9: The Cielven Stone

Chapter 9: The Cielven Stone

The Cielven Stone was key.

Lumis looked up to the High Tower through of the thick green foliage in the palace garden. Time had passed and more followers had rallied with Lumis since the first meeting. Their numbers were growing rapidly and they had decided possession of the stone was to be their first move. With it came power, immense power. King Leon was powerful in and of himself, but the stone was created by him not only as a tool, but as a visual for the people; a tangible object; a reminder of goodness. It amplified King Leon's power and gave everyone eternal life.

To hold the power, they had to hold the stone. Lumis thought about the best way to gain possession of it. The tower was not guarded, as there was no reason to. Only goodness existed in the kingdom, until now. Although Lumis hardly thought of it as evil. It was progress. A new beginning.

Lumis only had to wait until dark and under the cover of the shadows, he could take it. It seemed all too simple. No one ever went up to the stone except Leon and even Lumis himself on occasion, but besides them, people seldom went up the tower. Lumis had to make certain Leon was in the palace that night and all would be well.

He didn't know, however, what would happen if he touched the stone. Only the king ever could as he used the stone to exert his power or to transcend to the Earthen Realm. Lumis didn't know what would happen, but it was a risk worth taking.

* * * * * * * *

It was a very dark night. Few lights appeared in the sky and a thick haze fell around the ground. Lumis, shrouded in a black cloak, crept towards the palace through the tall garden trees. Entering a back door used only by the gardeners, he made his way through the quiet palace searching for any sign of the king.

"Prince Lumis?" a small voice broke the heavy silence. Lumis spun around to face a young servant boy standing in nightclothes with a lantern.

"Oh, hello Serinn," Lumis forced a warm smile. "What are you doing up this late?"

"I heard a noise," Serinn said quietly. "I wanted to see what it was." Of course, Serinn and his father, the head gardener, slept just around the corner.

"I'm sorry for waking you," Lumis apologized. "Now return to bed." The boy turned to leave and began shuffling down the dark corridor. "Wait!" Lumis whispered after him. Serinn stopped and looked back. "Where is the king?"

"He went up to bed, Sir, no more than half an hour ago."

"Right. Thank you, Serinn." The boy turned the corner, the light disappearing along with him.

Hidden once again in shadows, Lumis exited the palace and crossed the garden to the High Tower. Hearing voices, he pressed his back against the stone wall and peered around to see if anyone was present. Two men were walking along the path near the tower.

"I didn't see him there, no."

"Strange, wouldn't you say? I assume it must be the first time anyone has declined the king's invitation to a feast."

"Indeed. And the Feast of Harvest, on top of it."

"It is peculiar. I heard he had to go to . . ."

Lumis waited for the voice to drift then slipped through the arched entrance and carefully began to climb the endless twisting staircase. The narrow tower was dimly lit with crackling torches spaced out above the stone stairs. Dark demons danced on the wall as the orange flames cast Lumis's shadow in distorted forms.

After a steady climb, a soft, fluorescent glow began to appear, tickling the cold stone and growing as Lumis pressed on. At last the final step came into view and Lumis stood at the summit of the High Tower. The light shone brightly, flooding the circular room with a kind of pure whiteness. Lumis had never much minded the light before, but now he cowered back and averted his eyes from its piercing intensity.