AJ held his chin up as some of the others sat, yet again, in the gardens. He met each eye squarely, not bothering to be embarrassed by his earlier outburst. One thing he had learned from the elves was that emotions were nothing to be ashamed of. What you felt was yours, and it was a part of you. There was no shame in that. No shame in tears, or anger, or sorrow, or joy. He had heard them say it before, but now he finally understood.
Locking everything away had been a stupid thing to do. It had walled off some of his other emotions as well, and clouded his mind. Releasing them had been the most healing experience he had ever felt. The talk afterwards with Flreu had been even better. His grandfather had spoken to him of many things, and helped him wind a way through the pain.
When Brian and Tadhg joined them, Brian came directly to AJ’s side and sat there with a small smile on his lips. They joined their tattooed hands, each smiling at the renewal of that bond. Through it AJ could feel the peace that Brian had found in talking with his Uncle, and Brian could feel the peace AJ had found in talking with his Grandfather.
While they waited for the last of the group to arrive, AJ leaned in to Brian and let the link open between them. ‘You look more at peace, Brian. You had a good talk with our Uncle?’
‘Yes. He told me my past, and helped me see my present clearer.’
A mental chuckle passed from AJ, making the both of them smile. ‘You sound more like an elf every day, lover.’
‘Thank you for the compliment, song of my heart’ Brian replied pertly. His face softened and his eyes glowed. ‘I learned a lot from him today.’ Without a qualm, Brian opened his mind and his memories, allowing AJ to see and feel everything that he’d been told.
For a while AJ stayed silent, processing it. Then he used his love and wrapped it around Brian like a mental hug. ‘This helps you to heal, yes?’
‘Yes’
‘Then it is good.’ AJ decreed. ‘I’m glad that you have this. I hope it takes away that worry at your heart.’
‘But I thought of one thing that still worries me, Alex. This whole time we’ve been gone, we haven’t given any thought to anyone we left behind. We left my house burning down! What are Kevin and Nick going to think is going on?’
Surprise filtered across their bond, and AJ and Brian locked eyes. For a second AJ felt dumbfounded. Then he kicked himself. God, with everything that had been going on, he realized that there were things he hadn’t told Brian. Stupid, stupid!
Quickly he tried to remedy it. ‘God, Brian, I am so sorry you’ve had this on your mind. Really I am. Right before we got separated, Howie told me that he’d realized the same thing you just did while he was on the other island, and we were, well…you know…on our island. He worked a little magic of his own, darting from that island to the mainland for a while. No one had found the house yet, so he, well, fixed it. No one knows that the house burnt down. Then he called Kevin and told him that he was quitting the backstreet boys. Apparently it took wheeling and dealing, but he got Kevin to believe that he was ready to move on. So, no one thinks we’re dead. I am so sorry you had to worry about that!’
On one hand, Brian was annoyed with AJ for not telling him sooner. But he understood that the things that had happened since then had probably pushed it out of his mind. On the other hand, he felt a small amount of relief that Howie had taken those measures to protect him. He also felt slightly guilty that it had taken him this long to worry about it. ‘But what about us?’ he realized suddenly. ‘Where do Kevin and Nick think you and I are? Wouldn’t they worry if they don’t hear from us?’
‘Howie told Kev that I was going into a rehab center in Europe for my drinking, and that the place allowed you to come with me. He also told him that I wasn’t allowed outside contact, and that we’d get a hold of them as soon as we can. Kevin was totally understanding about that, and wishes us the best of luck. We’ll have to tell them a new story, soon, but for now this one works.’
AJ grinned at his lover, feeling Brian’s amazement. They sat quietly together while Brian digested all the new information that they’d been given. It seemed that today was a day for truths and facts.
Just then Howie, Richard, and Isleen came up, the last of the group to join them.
Flreu sat at the head of them, on a flat rock, looking like the King he was, ruling over a small court. The rest of them created a perfect ring around him.
“Matters of heart have been dealt with now, to create clearer minds.” Flreu told them all. “Now it comes to more serious matters. I have shielded our area from other ears, for what I have to say must be said only to those of this quest, for a quest this is. In the wrong hands, and to the wrong ears, this information could be devastating. So may it be to you all. But I hold faith that you will all know what to do with this, and will arm yourselves with it. For knowledge is power; a weapon stronger than any sword.”
Crossing his legs underneath him and folding his hands together in his lap, Flreu settled into a pose that AJ well recognized. It was what he often thought of as Flreu’s ‘teaching pose’. Usually it preceded information that was very important. He watched and waited for his Grandfather to speak.
“In a time long ago, longer than the memory of the oldest of your group may stretch, long even by elvish standards, there was much magic in the world. The earth was a different place. Magic and mortal walked hand in hand. Elves were free to wander the forests, to mingle among the people. We were respected for our wisdom, and our knowledge. We were a happy people.
“There was one among the mortals who was as Alyck and Brian are. Half mortal sorcerer, half elf. His elvish heritage was that of the night elves. As both grew strong in him and he grew into manhood, he sought to learn new ways to use his magic. He was a strong man, but his mind was tainted. There was something in him that was not quite right, though none had the words to describe it. The elves worried, and watched him, knowing that something was wrong but not knowing what to do.
“One day he disappeared from his home, in the dead of night. No elf saw him leave. No human or other magical being. What we know of the time he was gone is very sparse, and more heresy than anything else. Suffice to say that when he came home, he was changed before us. With him he brought three men, the men who had become the very first immortals. This sorcerer had found a way to change them, and had done so for his own personal benefit. One man he had change him, and then used this one to experiment until he discovered the way to kill him.
“This man came to us, requesting entrance to our home. Our King at the time, Bwthir, refused him entrance, for there was something about the man he feared though he could not put words to it. But he agreed to meet him at the front gate and speak with him. Once he was close, Bwthir saw that much had changed. This man who had once been slightly different was now totally changed. He had embraced the darkness inside of him. His hair was dark as night, and his soul showed darkly in his eyes. He told the honored King that he had been reborn, and was now known as Twyla, to honor the night that had born him, he said.”
AJ’s eyes shot up from the grass he had been staring at, locking onto his grandfather’s face. Though he didn’t know the whole story, AJ had heard of Twyla in his time among the elves. He had also heard of him from the other magical beings. That name was still whispered with fear, though Twyla was dead and gone. Flreu nodded lightly to acknowledge what he saw in AJ’s eyes before he continued on.
“Bwthir demanded of him to know what he had done. There was a taint in the air about his magic. His aura was darker than any they had ever seen. Bwthir looked into his eyes, and saw there the death of thousands. The coldness of the grave was in Twyla’s voice as he told Bwthir that he had been born again, and brought to see the truth. ‘The time of mortals and creatures is past. The time of the immortals mages is upon us. I have seen what is to be, and I know my place, old elf. I will be King, not just of one, but of all. So shall it be.’
“The seriousness of his tone had Bwthir stepping back in fear. ‘No one man is greater than all.’ Bwthir told him sternly. ‘Each race is entitled to their lives. We will not submit to your rule, child of darkness.’ At this, Twyla laughed at him. ‘Those who do not submit will die.’ He calmly told the King. Those words were more chilling for the seriousness of them. ‘I have seen what is to be. I have touched the powers of the Gods above, and the Gods below. I am a God, and all will bow to me, or be crushed underfoot. Here I stand, to give you and your people the chance to surrender and join with me. Together we shall rule this world.’
“There was no doubt in Bwthir’s mind that this was not to be. This was not the way of the world, nor the way of the elves. He knew what he needed to do, and that hesitation could cost thousands of lives. With the resolve strong in him, he prepared to unleash all the magic he had to smite the darkness standing before him. Before he could release a single speck of it, Twyla used spirit in a way we still do not understand to this day. Bwthir dropped to the ground, and was soaked into the earth. Our king was no more.
“The elves that remained sealed the gates off so that none could enter. Twyla stood and laughed, and told them that their time would come. Soon they would regret ever denying him. Then he and his minions left. So started the greatest magical war the world has ever seen.”
The garden was quiet. Birds chirped overhead, and the breeze blew past them, but no one spoke a word as the tale sunk in. After a great pause, Flreu picked it up again.
“The killing that was done over the next three hundred years was immense. From person to person, culture to culture, Twyla went, killing in his effort to gain power. Through blood magic, and other magic’s we do not know, he grew stronger. The world was chaos and fear. We knew not when he would come to a people, or what he would do. Some tried to make pacts with him. The goblins were almost eradicated when they refused him entrance to their home.
“Many terrors were brought. No one was safe. The human race had been almost completely wiped off the earth. Other races were dwindling as their losses mounted. Those that were left banded together in secret to plan to stop him. There is much about that time that is not remembered. But all our races remember the night when each race came together and stormed the castle that Twyla had made for himself. In ways never seen before, nor seen since, the races and tribes joined their magic together.
“There was a great battle fought in that castle. The very earth seemed to shake and rumble. Tidal waves ravaged the oceans. Volcano’s exploded. Great earthquakes split the land, creating some of the islands and continents that you know today. Yet, joined together, they managed to destroy his immortal sidekicks, and they trapped Twyla. With all of their magic they pulled his spirit from his body, and burned the body to ashes.”
Flreu looked at them all again, his face so serious that no one dared speak. They knew the tale wasn’t over yet.
“The reign of terror was over. People were free again, to rebuild their homes, repopulate their species. Yet the elves have always held a fear in their hearts. For Twyla’s spirit was removed from his body, but we do not know what he had done to himself to gain the magic he had. We have always wondered if his soul was floating free out there, waiting for a way to come back, to fight again. Who knows what ties his soul holds to the earth? He had tapped into some of the darkest magic ever known. What effects that had on him, we don’t know. So we have always watched.”
The very world seemed to be still. Brian and AJ’s hands tightened together, and their eyes met. Without speaking, they knew. Knew what was going to come next, and dreaded it with all their hearts. Flreu’s next words were heavy with sorrow. For the first time, AJ thought that his grandfather sounded old, in heart and soul.
“I have long suspected that Twyla was trying to rejoin the world. It wasn’t until after you were here the last time that I was sure, Alyck. Now I know there is no doubt. Our suspicions are correct. Rothalo has tapped into dark magic, and blood magic. It is our belief that he plans to resurrect Twyla’s spirit and fuse it with his own. In preparation he has committed magic of the darkest kind.
“If successful, they will stop at nothing to gain control of the world. We have watched, and we believe we know his plans. In three months’ time is the elvish celebration of life. That is when the mortal world, the magical world, and the spiritual world are closest together. The barriers are thinner, and with the right magic, things can be brought across that should be left alone. Magic is stronger as well, for we are closer to our elements at that time.
“In three months, Rothalo will use this time to try to resurrect the spirit of Twyla into his body, and join their spirits as one. If successful, they will take over the world, and remake it in fire. If that happens, we are all lost.”