Epilogue

EPILOGUE

They were all gathered at the glade. Nikki seemed to be a mixture of sadness and resoluteness. Gage was also moody and that made times difficult for his apprentice. Crystal was the only saving grace. Her presence and her attention to the elven mage probably saved Dylan from unjust treatment on several occasions.

Even Crystal's parents had come. The strange High Priest, Sam and his wife Calista would not be put off. This parting was much too important.

Coran, still partly in a state of shock at learning of his true heritage, was only a little less moody. The tall, dark man had suddenly found a passion for learning the legends of the Blackheart Dynasty, however terrible and dark it may be. He was determined to make up for the deeds of his ancestors, and given that he had been raised by Avery and Nikki, his outlook on life was certainly more benevolent than that of his ancestors.

Dylan and Cindy sat by the fire holding hands. They listened to their benefactors speaking of old times and things that had happened long ago. Cindy whispered that she felt really sorry for Nikki. Crystal, who sat nearby tried to explain that the culture of elves was much different to that of men. Once the children had been raised and went out on their own, the father and mother often would separate and were free to choose new mates. It was a tradition that reflected the long lives of the elves. She seemed pretty sure that Gage would not leave her, but then again, she felt pretty sure that he would live for hundreds of years after she had died an old woman, and then he might seek another mate. But while she was still alive, Gage would stay with her.

The crackling of the fire and the cups of wine eventually put both youths into a stupor. Dylan did not remember nodding off, nor did he remember being put to bed. He woke the next morning and dressed quickly. His first thought was, of course to find Cindy, then to attend to his master.

He found both in the main lodge eating breakfast.

"Ah, Dylan," Gage beamed. "Come on in, my boy."

"Can I get you something, master?

"No need," Gage answered. The truth was that as long as they were in his mother's house, she would not allow the apprentice to be a servant, and if he tried, Nikki would very likely take a switch to the mage.

Armegon and Ultrecht were both at the table as well. They watched Dylan approach with approval in their faces. "My uncles and I have been discussing you," Gage told his ward. "You have performed exemplarily on this journey and you have proven yourself beyond your years. I do not know if it is your quick mind or my teaching or what, but I am very proud of you." Gage sighed.

"Before we leave," Armegon added, "we wanted to thank you for all your help."

"And we wanted to let you know that we are very impressed with you," Ultrecht added. "I foresee a bright future on the horizon for you."

"They have also urged me to do something that is very unusual. Your time as my apprentice has been very short—only a year and a half--but you have shown skill at casting spells and calm under stress." Gage smiled and placed a hand on Dylan's shoulder. "And even though it is normally beyond the years of one such as you, my uncles have suggested that I petition the guild to advance you to the rank of Journeyman. Even though I normally would not expect it of someone so young, I am inclined to agree. If the guild accepts the petition, you will be tested, and if you perform adequately, you will be given the black robe and white sash of a journeyman. You will still serve me, but that will allow you to study and work with all spells and not just the few that I have taught you in defiance of the common practice regarding apprentices."

There was a twinkle in the elf's eye as he placed a hand on his charge's shoulder. "I know that you and Cindy have become fond of each other and I encourage your relationship, but I must ask you to postpone any permanent plans for at least a year. Then when you are seventeen years old, I will be honored to provide you both with a home and money to begin your lives together."

Dylan was awestruck. He did not know how to respond, but Cindy saved him from an awkward silence with a hug and a squeal of excitement. Then Dylan managed to stammer some form of acceptance and thanks.

"Ahem." Avery stood in the doorway. "I know that it's a difficult thing to do," he said, "but the alignments are approaching and if we are going to do this, then we have to do it soon."

"Right," Armegon agreed. "The opportunity to do this will not happen again for a long time, so let's take advantage of it."

Ultrecht and Armegon stood and walked to the door. Everyone followed them. In the center of the glade, near the fountain, an arrangement of stones and marks had been arranged in the form of a triangle. Within the triangle was a circle large enough for several people to stand in comfortably. Already in the circle were three packs, two small trunks and a few bags.

"I've packed enough for us to live on for a few weeks if necessary," Avery explained as he led them to the circle. "With luck, we will find ourselves close to our old homes and there will be no need for this stuff, but it pays to be prepared."

Ultrecht nodded. Then he turned and gave Nikki a quick kiss on the cheek as well as Crystal and Calista. He knelt and gave Cindy a big, warm hug and then proceeded to shake the hands of Rathe, Gage, Coran and Dylan.

Armegon hugged all the women and also shook the hands of the men. His farewell to the High Priest, Sam, was very long and tender in the form of an embrace and a kiss on the cheek, which made Sam blush.

Avery and Nikki held hands for what seemed like an hour, just gazing into each other's eyes. It seemed as if words were not necessary, and Dylan had to remind himself that it was the way of the elves to part company in this way. He certainly did not think he could do it, and when it came to Cindy, he was sure he never would.

Finally, Avery released Nikki and embraced his two sons together. "I was born in another reality," he told them, "and that is where we are trying to return to. I want you both to know that you are my sons and you are the greatest things that I have ever been a part of." There seemed to be a moisture in the ranger's eyes. "This is your world. We leave it in your capable hands. You have my blessing and my everlasting love."

"Avery," Ultrecht called. "It's time."

The ranger disengaged from his family and stepped into the circle. He stood next to Armegon, and the two halfelves faced the friends that were remaining behind. Behind Armegon and Avery, Ultrecht stood. He placed one hand of each of his companions' shoulder. "Brothers we were before this chapter began, and brothers we are as we turn the next page," he waxed philosophically.

Bowing his head and muttering words that Dylan barely could catch, Ultrecht began to weave a very powerful spell. The lines of the magic circle flared brilliantly and there was no doubt that the very fabric of space and time and the planes themselves was being warped.

When the light became too bright to look at, Dylan closed his eyes and turned his head. He squinted and could see his master covering his own eyes with a hand. Crystal was there too and she had bowed her head to avoid the light.

After a few moments, there was a loud thunderous crack and suddenly the light was gone. Turning back to where the circle had been there was only scorched ground left.

"Well, I guess it did allow him to go," Coran observed.

"What?" Crystal asked.

"Father's sword, Liberator," Coran explained. "We wondered if it would allow him to leave since he was bound to it."

"But the sword isn't here," Calista observed.

"Liberator is not exclusive to our universe," Sam advised them. "It travels to where it is needed. I would not be surprised if they do not arrive at where they wanted to go, but went to where they were needed."

"So they may never get back to their homeworld?" Crystal asked.

"Perhaps they will. After all, they do not age. Given long enough, they may eventually return home, or perhaps, their home was where they were needed most."

"Imagine," Coran softly offered, "an eternity of traveling from universe to universe going where they are needed most."

"There are worse fates," Gage noted.

Wiping a tear from her eye, Nikki added, "but none more noble."

Gage sighed, and reached into his robe. He pulled forth a scroll case. "What is that?" Nikki asked as she leaned against her son.

"I am not really sure," Gage told her. "Uncle Ultrecht gave it to me and told me to keep it sealed closed until all hope was lost."

"Do you think it's a spell?" Crystal asked.

"Most assuredly," Gage answered. "But I do not know what it does or how it works."

"Will you ever open it to find out?"

"I doubt it," Gage answered. "I do not think there will ever come a time when there is no hope."


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