Page 84 of Awakening

Chapter 18

In a dark and twisted tunnel, far from the elf city, Morgaine waited impatiently, pacing back and forth. The young elf queen had sealed the fate of her people. Morgaine vowed to ensure their destruction.

Finally, footsteps padded the cave floor, approaching. They stopped.

“Show yourself,” she snarled. Morgaine held a red flame in her hand, providing her light in the darkness.

From around the bend in the tunnel, General Îarik appeared, along with Lôrît.

“Mistress Morgaine,” Îarik said.

“General, my time is precious. I have an army to raise. What is it that you offer me?”

“I have several hundred elves that will follow my orders. We will help fight your war.”

“Can you guarantee their loyalty?”

“Mysel no longer fights for what is right for her people. It’s time we had a new queen.”

“Your allegiance to me will be tested,” Morgaine growled, “but without the curse—”

“We have that as well.” Îarik motioned to Lôrît.

Lôrît held out his hand. In the center of his palm rested a small, wooden box with carvings on every side.

“The Myrkurári curse,” she whispered.

“Yes, Mistress,” Îarik replied. “The carvings on the box must be recited in proper order. When done correctly, the box will transform and open, and inside you will find a blackened, crystalized fragment of an angel’s heart. Crush it and the curse will be released, the portals to the demon realm will open, and Iôr Thraul will walk this earth under your control.”

“And what do you want in exchange?”

“For our forest to be restored and to once again, live in peace within it. I also wish to see Queen Mysel removed from power, as she has done nothing to help our people return to Blaiddúlfur. Do we have an accord?”

Morgaine eyed the two traitorous elves intently.

“Agreed, General,” Morgaine growled. “You have my word.”

***

The afternoon sun, with its golden yellow rays, was the only bit of color surrounding them. Trystan saw not another speck of life as they trudged along. The little bit of energy he’d gained from his brief nap earlier was fading again.

“So, Emrys, I am curious. What brought you to choose Owaine and Noah to raise me?” Trystan asked.

“Honestly, I believe it was fate. Something—instinct perchance—led me to stumble upon their cottage. They never saw me, but I did see them. The love between them was strong, and I knew you would be loved as well. So I left you.”

“But you never really left, did you?”

“No.”

A few seconds of silence passed.

“Why did you disguise your age with my mother and father?” Trystan asked.

“What do you mean?” Emrys answered.

“In my dream or memory, when I saw you with Arthur and Guinevere, you were old. If Arthur knew who you were anyway, why not save your energy?”

Emrys sighed. “We’ve been walking for hours now. Perhaps now is a good time to rest for a moment.”