Halfblood

Chapter 23

I expected to see a throne when we arrived where Spectrum was. So a marble staircase descending into the side of a cliff was somewhat disappointing. Peering down the stairs, I see nothing but darkness. Looking up at the stone archway set above the stairs, something that looked like it could be lettering caught my eye.

The figures were based on straight lines and spirals; and although none of them were recognizable, I just felt like they had to mean something. Turning to the others, I pointed up at them. "Can anyone read that?"

My shoulders drop as Pythonia and Spectrum take one look at the script and shake their heads. Then they rise again as I notice that Mardil is not shaking his head, but instead slowly and steadily working his gaze over the arch. Eventually, he turns to look at me.

"I have not seen that script in a long time, and I am rather out of practice at translating the tongue of Dawn, but I believe I have at least a good idea of what it says."

"What does it say?"

He looks over the arch again before answering me. "Let the one who is worthy enter, let the noble child of my blood pass through. The kingdom shall be yours, for my seat awaits you." He stops for a moment. "You see the engraving on either side of the letters? The stag's head with two lightning bolts behind it and a circle around it? That was Tarvill's seal."

It only takes me a few seconds to realize what this means, and from the expectant looks on the party's faces they have realized it as well. Finally after five long minutes of silence or so, Spectrum nods towards the archway. "So who's going first?"

I respond by pushing Mardil forward towards the opening in the rock wall. "Our future king should lead the way."

No one disagrees. It would seem that both I and the other two party members are too caught up with staring in trepidation at the gate to say a word. Even as I watch Mardil disappear into the darkness beyond the archway, I feel myself take a sharp breath; as if I were simply waiting for something bad to happen. But nothing does, not even when I steel myself and slowly but steadily walk forward and into the darkness.

As I set foot on the first step, the crystal on my staff begins to emit a soft warm glow, as if to light my way. Not that I really needed the light, there were no turns nor items to trip over, simply seven wide steps which led into a large chamber. This chamber was lit from above by the sun, and in the midst of it stood the object of Glendil's desire. A large, high- backed, oak chair.

I was slightly surprised by how unthronelike the throne was, but even more so by who was seated in it. For in the chair sat Glendil, and next to it stood a tall, dark haired young lady.

"Rosalyn." Pythonia entered behind me and rushed over to her daughter. "How good to see you again." Now we can just... her arm suddenly grows to about fifty feet in length and she snatches the staff out of my hands. Then she does the same with the crown in Mardil's before turning to him. "Give me the sword!"

The elf's cheeks turned red as he drew the blade and began to advance on Pythonia. "Never!"

Pyhtonia tossed the crown to Rosalyn, and holding the staff in both hands, advanced on Mardil, shrinking her arm as she does so. There was a thud of metal against wood, and the two began to fight.

Back and forth they moved, up and down the length of the room, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden by a cloud of dust. Finally the fight came in front of the throne and stopped moving. It was a sight to see, blurs of steel and (most likely magically reinforced) wood as the two exchanged blows. Their fight slowed, then the speed redoubled. Until suddenly they froze.

I never got to see what happened next in that chamber because what followed was a bright flash of light.

Once it cleared, I blinked. For I no longer saw the rough stone walls of the chamber, but rather the smooth white walls of my living room. I was no longer standing either. When I got to my feet, I saw what I had been sitting on before. A zebra striped sofa. And the sunlight which had been streaming into the chamber from above? That was replaced by the soft orange glow of my reading lamp. As a matter of fact, I glanced at the window, only to see that it wasn't day at all. A quick glance at the clock on the wall showed that it was 9:30 p.m. But what day was it? Hold on a second, let me check my-- but where is it? Try as I may, I cannot locate my laptop. But the ringing of my phone quickly pushes my thought away. "Call from Editor Neal."

Pulling it out of my pocket, I push accept.

"Hey, Neal. I'm so sorry--"

"Where have you been and why haven't you been returning my calls?"

"About that--" I pause as a knock on the door catches my attention. "I'll call you back later." Ending the call, I put my phone back in my pocket, walk over, turn the knob, and open the door.