The Evion

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

“Jesse, what did you just get us into?” Charlie asked.

“I don’t know.” She said. “But I kind of think it’s why we’re here.”

“How do you figure that?”

“Well think about it. That poem that was in the journal. Don’t you see what it really is?”

“A prophecy apparently.” Charlie said. He watched several knights rush forward and carry the now unconscious messenger away from the front table. “But what does it really mean?”

“I don’t know yet. But why would it be written on every page of the book if it wasn’t important? We were lead here by this.” Jesse said, holding up the journal. “We were expected here by them” She motioned to all the others. “That can’t be a coincidence. We came here for a reason. I think this prophecy is it.”

Charlie shrugged, accepting the bizarre truth again.

“My lord.” The prophet said, addressing the king.

“Speak, sir.” He said.

“I believe the prophecy is clear. This is the great woe to fall upon us at the return of Those of Power.”

A nervous murmur spread throughout the assembly.

“There can only be one solution. Those of Power must venture forth into Devril Tomb, and set right the evil that has been released upon us.”

The king stroked his beard in thought, nodding at the prophet’s words.

“Then so shall it be. A battalion of my strongest knights shall accompany them to the Tomb.”

“I am sorry, my lord. But that cannot be. The prophecy speaks only of Those of Power. It has long been believed that they and they alone are destined to fulfill this calling.”

“But surely they cannot go alone. It would be an affront on hour honor to send them off unaided.” Sir Dureant said.

“The prophecy is clear. Though many experts in the text have consulted upon various interpretations. It is believed that they may be allotted one companion to accompany them as a guide, but if the prophecy is not obeyed, we risk the fate of us all.”

“I shall accompany them to the tomb.” Sir Dureant volunteered.

“It would be my honor to guide them.” Said Sir Cortisan.

“By my sword, I shall see them safely on this quest.” Called Sir Gillian.

In an uproarious jumble, the entire assembly of knights all stood and vowed their loyalty to the cause, volunteering to be the guide.

“Peace.” The king said, holding his hands out to calm the crowd. “If the experts of the text say that only one must guide them, then so be it. Lord Elias, you shall have the honor of guiding our favored guests to Devril Tomb, where the prophecy shall then be fulfilled in full.”

The chief prophet looked bewildered at the command, but bowed lightly, as he could do nothing else.

“It is settled then. On the morrow, our elected company shall venture forth, for valor, and glory! Serah!” The king called.

“Serah!” the rest replied.

The feasting continued and Jesse and Charlie quickly found themselves surprisingly at peace with the situation. Neither of them had any idea what to expect, or what it was they were even supposed to do. Perhaps they were too full to really think about what it was they had signed up for, or, more likely, they simply didn’t understand what it was they had truly signed up for. Lord Elias quickly took his leave of the feast, looking rather pale and uneasy.

“It’s mighty brave of you, taking on this quest.” One of the servants said, refilling their golden goblets.

“Well everyone seems pretty confident we can do it.” Charlie said.

“I’ve do doubts as to that, my lord.” The servant said. “Though I’m just glad it’s not up to me to do it.”

“What makes it so dangerous? What is Devril’s Tomb anyway?” Jesse asked.

“It’s meant to be the last resting place of the Bane of Tarrill. And it was for neigh on seven hundred years. It’s the only known place in the realm strong enough to do the job. Strange powers at work in that place. Uncertain and dangerous at the best of times. But the Clerics figured out how to use it. Most places of strong magic like that are avoided by most, or worshiped by some. Founts, we call them. Dangerous places they are. Right daft of the Clerics to try and make one a prison, but they did it. At least, they had done it up until now.”

“What makes a fount so special?” Charlie asked.

“Well we don’t exactly know. That’s sort of why they’re so strange, you see. Things don’t work the way they should there. Lightning strikes when there’s no clouds. Changes in hot and cold without warning. Even heard of things looking as if they was right in front of you, but would still take miles to get to. Clerics are the one’s who have studied them the most. They say there’s layers of the universe that combine in special ways. At Devril Tomb, nothing there is quite what it seems. There’s kinds of powers there that no one has ever quite understood. None the less found something that can stand up to them all. That’s why it makes the perfect prison, see? How do you escape from something keeping you trapped that you don’t even understand?”

“Who are the Clerics you mentioned?” Jesse asked.

“Most think they’re a bunch of nutters, but even if they are, they’ve still done some right amazing things. I don’t know too much about them, but from what I can tell, they’re a bunch of scholars. Learned types, you know? Spending their time trying to understand the universe or some such. Trying to reach a point of ‘all-knowledge’. Whatever that means.

“Still though, they’ve done some stuff that no one else has managed. Studying founts not being the least of which. Legend says their old temple was built on a fount, but didn’t really help them much, did it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well its naught but a pile of ruins now. Nearly got themselves extinct the first time. Now that it’s out again, I don’t even want to begin to imagine what it will do.”

“You mean the prisoner that has escaped?” Jesse asked.

“Aye, miss. Like I said, you all are mighty brave to be taking on the Terminus Beast.”