Door to the Mist

Chapter 5

    When morning arrived, Jay waited until everyone else had gone out for breakfast, then pulled out the stone again. It now seemed unremarkable, a plain blue crystal, but Jay remembered the night before.  He pulled out his pack from under his bunk to stow the stone in a pocket.

    He had only just finished, when John entered through the door.

    “What’s taking you so long?” he asked. “Haeleroth wants to talk to us.”

    “I’m coming,” said Jay. He shoved the bag under the bed and stood up, brushing off his pants. “What does he want to talk to us about?”

    “He didn’t say,” John replied. “Now if you’re all done playing with your toys, we can get a move on.”

     They left the building. Haeleroth and Catrina were waiting in the street.

    “Follow me,” said Haeleroth, and walked away toward the castle. The three followed him up the winding road, across the causeway into the fortress. They passed through the courtyard where so many months ago they had met the king when they arrived. Haeleroth led them into the castle, then through a labyrinth of doors and passages so complex, Jay wasn’t sure he could find his way out on his own. Haeleroth pulled open a door and led them inside.

    The room had a distinct businesslike air, demonstrated by the presence of a rectangular oak table and many high-backed chairs.  In one corner was a stone fireplace with a cheerful blaze inside.

    “Sit.” Haeleroth ordered. They complied, then he sat down opposite them. “It’s time you learned why you are here.”

    “We know that,” said John. “We’re here because the stupid door sealed shut after we fell in.”

    “Not just that,” said Haeleroth. “That has happened before, a long time ago. It is time you learned why you are still here.”

    Catrina gave John and Jay a nervous glance. “Still?”

    “Yes.”

    Jay took a deep breath. “Very well.”

    “It all began,” said Haeleroth, “with the death of the last elf mages. It was early on in our last war with the goblins, just after the Bolkrath had been cast down for the first time. As it fell, it used its dark power to put a curse on the last three mages. As a result, they began to die, slowly consumed by an illness we could not cure. In their last moments, they summoned the remnants of their fading power to cast one final spell. They bound their spirits into a globe of purest crystal set on a carven staff, to serve as a guide to those who sought their help. They instructed that this staff be given to the king, so they might act as advisors in this war.” Haeleroth paused as if lost deep in memories of forgotten times, then continued.

    “Unfortunately, this instruction was given to the current king, who was then only a prince. He became greedy and overthrew his father to set himself up as king, making it look like a goblin ambush. But the staff would not let him be comfortable in his new role.  It plagued him with visions of his deed whenever he carried it. So, he ordered one of his trusted soldiers to carry it for him, but the staff whispered to the soldier, and told him what the king had done. The visions he saw were so terrible, it drove him mad. He fled the city screaming about a terrible prophecy that would doom them all. The king sent troops to capture him.  They brought him back to explain his ravings, but he only laughed maniacally and broke free of his captors. They pursued him again, and caught up with him in front of the city gate.

    By now, most of the city had gathered to investigate the commotion. They gathered around the soldier as he spoke the prophecy of the mages. ‘My purpose is to keep the power within this staff safe from those who would use it for evil, until those appointed arrive. This is what the staff says: In the last days, there will be attacks from the goblins, and the one who was cast down will return. In those dark times three heroes will come from the lands beyond. An imadril, a warrior, and a blade master. These three shall lead you to victory, even as your fortress crumbles around you. By them, your foes will be cast down.  By them, the cavern walls will be turned to rubble, and the goblin hosts repelled. They shall return to you that which you have lost, and lose that which you hold dear.’