Tales of Sillonia: The return of the darkness creatures

5

Talon swallowed. He had never imagined sir Girand to look so frightening. He looked like a miniature giant. In comparison, Talon was like a mouse to him. He had red slick back hair and a thick beard. He had a nasty looking scar across his face. He was wearing simple clothes. Sir Girand started at Talon. Talon was too shocked to say anything. However, Sir Girand's face turned into a wide smile.

"Ay, I'd recognize those eyes anywhere!" He exclaimed putting his arm around Talon. "Your Frederic's boy aren't ya?" Talon nodded. This was a very unexpected change of events. Talon was not expecting such a welcoming. Sir Girand had seemed so scary at first. The knight pointed at Aaron.

"Boy, get the kettle. We're having your mother special recipe tonight!" he shouted. Without saying anything, Aaron went out to the kitchen. Talon sat down at the table, Sir Girand sitting at the opposite end.

"How are things back in Shinnerok? And how's your mother?" Talon took a deep breath. He'd been dreading this for a long time.

"She's... dead. We were attacked by the darkness creatures," Talon said. Sir Girand chocked on his saliva.

"What? The darkness creatures have returned?!" He shouted in disbelief. Talon spent the next few minutes telling the old knight what had happened over the past two days. When he had finished, Sir Girand slammed his hand on the table.

"Those freaks want to revive there leader ay? Welp I ain't gonna let that happen!" He roared. Talon took out the letter from his pocket.

"My mother wanted you to have this," Talon said. Sir Girand snatched it and ripped it open. After reading it he lifted a silver key which was in the letter.

"I know what we must do," he said. "Boy! Get over here, you need to hear this too!" He shouted into the kitchen. Aaron emerged and sat at the table with them. Aaron looked at the key in his father's hand.

"That's a vault key!" He shouted. Girand nodded. He pocketed the key and sighed. He then looked at Talon seriously.

"You have the sword I presume?" He asked. Talon quickly ran over to the door and retrieved the sword. He handed it to Girand. He examined it thoroughly.

"This ain't gonna do the trick," He said with frustration. Talon looked at him puzzled.

"How do you mean? Kendrix told me that the sword is the only thing that can destroy the crypt,"

"And it is, only it's missing the kings stone," Girand pointed at a gap at the centre of the blade. Aaron looked at the gap.

"What is the Kings stone exactly?" He asked.

"It is a magical stone which was created by Irensthron, back when I was still a knight. The stones purpose was to give the king immense power and wisdom. After the king's death, it was decided that the stone would be locked away, so no evil could corrupt it. But you see when the king died, Moltax did as well and his body was buried in the crypt that is in question. This crypt was enchanted with great power by that traitor Maog. An enchantment so strong only the purest of magic could destroy it. And that'd be the stone." Girand explained. He took a sip of tea to rejuvenate his throat.

"Why didn't you just destroy it then?" Aaron asked.

"Because boy, the stone could only be used by someone with the king's blood and Talon was only 2 years old when that was. Another reason was that it could be used as a last resort in a battle. But now since the darkness creatures are trying to revive Moltax, we have no choice but to destroy the crypt for good."

"Where is the stone now?" Talon asked. Girand scratched his head.

"That's another problem. The stone was split into two so in case one was lost, the evil couldn't use its full power. One was let with the humans but the other was given to the elves." Girand explained. Aaron stood up.

"Well that's just great! The one thing we truly need to destroy the ultimate evil isn't even fully in our possession!" Aaron blurted. Girand pointed at the chair.

"Watch your mouth boy!" he hissed. Aaron slunk back into his chair.

"Let's not focus on the elf stone right now," Talon said. "Where is the half in the human's possession?" he looked at Girand. Girand grinned.

"Luckily the stone was intrusted with me..." Girand began.

"Great then let's get it!" Aaron jumped up.

"Slow down boy! The stone isn't in Ker Halda!" Girand shouted.

"Then where is it?" Talon demanded. Girand went over to a cupboard and took out a map. He pointed at Berentrous.

"I put it in Aaron's mothers tomb," he explained. Aaron gasped.

"We have to go to Berentrous?! But father, you have to pay an insane amount of money to even get into that spoiled city. And there's three of us plus the horses!" Girand grinned and pulled out the key and waved it at his son.

"The queen left me this in her will. It's to one of her many vaults full of Sillons. We're gonna have to make a stop in Cirinvolia to deposit the money," Talon thought for a moment.

"Even so, the journey from here to Berentrous will take at least 5 moons!" He exclaimed. Girand scratched his bushy beard.

"I guess we'll figure it out on the way. We should get going. Take good care of the shop boy," He pointed at Aaron. Aaron stood shocked.

"You're having a laugh if you think I'm not coming with you!" Aaron protested. Girand opened his mouth to speak but closed it quickly.

"Ugh, fine. There ain't no convincing you. Just make sure you don't get killed out there," Girand said annoyed. He went over to the window.

"It's gonna be dark soon. Best set out in the morning. Talon, there's a spare room up in the cellar you can sleep there," Girand explained. Talon nodded and made his way to the guest room. Without anything else to do, Talon laid down on his bed and closed his eyes. He smiled to himself. In just two days his life had turned from a life of luxury to a life out in the unknown. It was the life he had always wanted. Talon faded away into his dreams thinking of the road ahead of him.