Chapter 47

The Suspended Chamber

- The secret disguise behind the lies -

Thonavar’s head spun as he stirred. He blinked several times before opening his eyes. He was lying cheekfirst in the dirt. A faint blue light thrummed in the periphery.

Then it all came back to him in a rush and he remembered as the boy called Gargan Beefheart pummeled his head continuously until he had lost consciousness. The last blow to the head had been a particularly hard one.

Thonavar touched his forehead and winced in pain. He pulled his hand back to see congealed blood mixed with dirt. There was a deep wound on his temple where his skin had split.

With a groan, he pushed himself up. Something was wrong with his right eye and his vision seemed limited. He touched his face and felt the swelling beneath his eye before crying out in pain and sucking in air.

Slowly, he managed to stand to his feet. His vision seemed blurred and dim. He looked toward the blue light thrumming in the background.

"The gates of Sanctum," he said under his breath.

His jaw tightened with resolve and he took a step forward and then another, slowly making his way toward the blue light, which was growing fainter and fainter by the second.

It was difficult to see where he was going in the darkness and his worsening eyesight did not make it any easier. Not long, he stumbled and tripped over a patch of uneven ground, falling onto the ground head-first. Pain exploded and he felt the wound upon his head reopen.

But again, he picked himself up and moved toward the faint source of bluish light. He stretched out a hand like a blind person into the darkness, feeling his way forward. As he did so, he felt something hard.

Feeling his way along what he knew was the giant doorway, Thonavar felt his heart start to race. His eyes picked out what seemed to be the faintest hint of blue light just before him. He reached out again with renewed purpose, feeling his way and as he did, he found the narrow opening he was looking for. Thonavar moved quickly, ignoring the pain and managed to wriggle his body, slipping inside just before the doorway closed behind him with a resounding slam that echoed around the chamber.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Thonavar resisted the urge to collapse upon the floor. Suddenly, a voice rang out, startling Thonavar.

"You are the last candidate to arrive. Please step into the red light that will appear shortly before you. This is so that we may register your presence with us. Please step into the light."

A red light flashed before him.

Obeying the instruction, Thonavar moved toward the flashing light. Upon reaching it, he heard the voice ring out again.

"Thonavar Ironhand. Welcome to Sanctum."

As the voice finished speaking, Thonavar felt a strong tug and a pull. He knew immediately that he was travelling through a corridor to somewhere else.

In a flash, the red light was gone and Thonavar found himself standing in the middle of a grand hall with walls of white unblemished marble. Emblems hung on each side of the hall while giant statutes depicting heroes of old in war-like poses stood guard along the walls. Thonavar saw all the way to the front, a small line of young children surrounded by dark-robed individuals. He quickly picked out Chaeron’s reddish-brown hair and Lyla’s white-blonde hair from the group

There they are!

Eager to be reunited with his friends, Thonavar stepped forward. But a dark shadow blocked his way. The shadow spoke, coalescing into the form of a hooded man.

"What are you doing here boy?"

"I am with the other candidates ahead," said Thonavar, pointing to the group of weary-looking boys and girls ahead.

"Then you are the last candidate to arrive."

"I am," replied Thonavar.

"Come with me," said the man, pulling Thonavar into the shadows. His voice was deep. It sounded familiar.

"Felix?"

The man paused before pulling back his hood slightly revealing beaming smile. Thonavar’s heart soared.

"Felix!"

"It is I," the hooded man replied. "You have done well."

"You are here! How did you get here? How are father and mother? Have you seen them?"

"They are well," assured Felix. "I see them often."

"Will you tell them I -…," began Thonavar, but a wave of emotion swept over him at the thought of his home and of his father and mother. He fought for control.

"I will tell them everything," said Felix, softly. "They will be proud."

"I have so much to tell you."

"And you will. But for now, there is someone who would also like to meet you."

Thonavar looked up sharply.

"Who?"

Felix activated what seemed to be a small circular device and threw it onto the floor. The device swirled into life, humming as an electric vortex appeared before Thonavar.

"What it is?"

"A corridor."

"Where to?"

"You will see," said Felix. "Now, step into it. You will need to return swiftly to rejoin your friends."

Thonavar looked at the spinning vortex.

"Trust me boy."

Thonavar nodded.

"I will do as you say."

"One more thing," said Felix. "When you land, walk straight until you reach a crossroad. Then take the passage lit by candelight. You will need a password for the gatekeeper. Speak the word Anyarin and you will enter freely."

"A password?"

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"Yes, but you are expected anyways. Now step into the corridor boy. I shall see you again soon."

Thonavar obeyed and stepped into the swirling blue vortex. To his astonishment, he sank into the vortex like a stone, his entire body passing through. The last thing he saw was of the hooded Felix peering down at him from above.

Landing on his feet, Thonavar found himself before a long and narrow stone-walled passageway. He started walking forward as instructed. His pulse was racing. His palms were moist. He was bone weary but adrenaline pumped through his body again. His head throbbed painfully from the wound. His travels had exhausted him but nevertheless determined to see the end of it. Why am I here?

The passageway was lit by torches that burned with orange fire. Thonavar walked on. His face was pale and covered in dried blood, sweat and black dirt. His body was racked with fatigue and it took great mental effort to prevent his mind from wandering. Suddenly, the corridor branched out into two separate hallways. One was also lit with torches but the other was lit with candles.

Take the passage lit by candlelight.

Thonavar walked down the hallway which ended quickly before an ominous-looking black door.

Thonavar knocked on the door and waited. There was no response.

He rapped hard on the door. This time he whispered the words as instructed:

"Anyarin."

The door opened slightly and light filtered through the small opening of the doorway. A low growl issued from behind the door. Startled by the feral sound, Thonavar took a step back but held his ground.

The door opened and light illuminated the hallway for a brief second before being eclipsed by a tall hooded figure enveloped in a dark cloak. The figure had its head bowed as though in prayer and did not move or flinch, barring the way through, obstructing passage to the interior. Thonavar could not see its face which was hidden within the depths of the black hood.

Thonavar took a step forward but a sharp and aggressive hissing sound emerged from within the depths of the figure’s cowl. The figure’s head shifted toward him and the boy could sense the threatening intent beneath the hood that masked its eyes.

But the figure continued to wait. The figure’s head shifted to slightly to one side. Then in one fluid motion, a long blade appeared in its hands, pointing directly at Thonavar’s chest. The figure’s hood fell back a little and Thonavar stepped back in alarm. Within the depths of the hood, a pair of luminous red eyes could be seen for a brief moment. But the hood fell back over its head and its eyes remained hidden once more.

"Stay your blade Marcus," spoke another voice from within the room. "I have business with the boy. Please, let him in."

Though the voice had come from far inside the room, Thonavar could hear that it was a sad and full of weariness.

The figure stepped back from Thonavar and with a similar fluid motion, the long blade disappeared from his hands. The door opened and light filled the dimly lit hallway. Thonavar squinted in the light but took a step forward. The figure stepped aside, allowing the boy into the room. The door closed softly and the hooded guard once more took his place, watching the door.

The room was extravagantly furnished, all in red and black colours. The floor was a red marble. The marble was so polished that the boy could see his own red reflection.

A tall man in black robes stood at the far end of the room. He stood in front of a large black fireplace. A small fire was burning and there was a faint smell of smoke. The man had his back to Thonavar.

As he approached the tall figure, Thonavar saw that beneath his feet was a grand carpet depicting horses and warriors fighting an epic battle.

"Ah. We meet again," said the sad voice. The man turned around as he spoke and pulled back his hood before clasping his hands together.

Thonavar instantly recognised the man.

The Lord of Blades.

"Lord Damon," said the boy and bowed his head respectfully.

"Greetings young Ironhand. Allow me to congratulate you on successfully completing the journey to Sanctum," said Lord Damon, the Lord of Blades. "Felix, tells me he feared you would not rise after being knocked down outside the gates of Sanctum."

He paused and raised his eyebrows at the boy. "But rise you did."

"Yes," said the boy, nodding. He stood in the middle of the room, surveying his surroundings. "Why am I here?"

"You must be exhausted," observed Lord Damon, and he took a goblet, filled it with water and handed it to the boy, who drank swiftly from it.

"I am," replied Thonavar. Then he quickly added: "Lord Damon, Lord of Blades."

"Do not concern yourself with formalities in my presence young Ironhand. You may address me as Lord Damon. My titles are of little significance to me," said the Lord of Blades, still staring at the painting before him. At this, Thonavar nodded uncertainly before speaking.

"Who was that at the door?"

"My personal guard," answered Lord Damon. "I would like to think of him as an old friend."

"Why does he snarl like a beast? Is he not human?"

"Genometric technologies have all but changed him. But his essence remains entirely human. This is can assure you."

"Genometric technology?"

"There is much you do not understand," said Lord Damon conversationally. "But all shall be revealed in time."

"Where am I?"

"In my chambers."

"I did not see any entrance when I stepped out of the corridor," said Thonavar. "There do not seem to be any entrances to this place."

"You are astute," Lord Damon observed. "Indeed, there are none."

"How can that be? Is one only able to access this place by corridor?" asked Thonavar.

"Yes, you might say so. That is, if one knows the coordinates."

"I do not understand," said Thonavar.

"Come," said Lord Damon, gesturing for Thonavar to follow him to a nearby darkened window pane. "Take a look outside."

Thonavar looked out of the window pane.

And his eyes flew wide in astonishment.

A multitude of stars twinkling in a kaleidoscopic expanse of a beautiful universe greeted him.

"What do you see?"

"The universe. It surrounds this place."

"Yes," said Lord Damon. "And is it not beautiful?"

"It is," agreed Thonavar, still mesmerised by the unearthly sight. "So where are we then?"

Lord Damon scratched his chin.

"We appear to be suspended."

"Suspended?"

"Yes. Somewhere in the universe."

"Is the earth nearby?"

"Perhaps."

"This is most strange," murmured Thonavar.

"The world is large and wide. Wild and full of mystery."

Lord Damon spoke slowly, as if in a stupor.

"And the same is true on earth. Far outside the world within our walls, there lies another, and it is vast and unconquerable."

"A world outside HavenGuarde? Impossible. It is a barren wasteland."

Lord Damon shook his head, smiling knowingly.

"Something stirs beyond the walls. Beyond the known, the unknown bides its time, and lies in wait for us to venture out. The truth has become a great lie and the lie has become a great truth."

Thonavar was becoming annoyed. Lord Damon seemed to be speaking in riddles all the time.

"Why have you summoned me to your chambers?"

"Why, to congratulate you of course. After all, I was there at your trial concerning the boy Alexis."

Thonavar did not reply but watched Lord Damon closely. He was sure there was more to this.

Suddenly, the man smiled and Thonavar stepped back in alarm. The Lord of Blades had transformed. His gaunt and weary features dissolved and vanished completely. It was if he had somehow gone back in time to his younger self. His eyes twinkled with the luster of youth. His chin was sharp and his jaw was taut and strong. Then the smile disappeared and he resumed his gaunt and weary features.

"You may leave Thonavar Ironhand. But I leave you with a warning you would do well to heed."

Moving to stand before one of the window once more, the Lord of Blades stared out at the intertwinning galaxies.

"Train hard with dedication and focus on mastering your discipline. But above all, be wise as a serpent."

Suddenly, Lord Damon narrowed his eyes and stiffened upright. His eyes were alert and alive.

"That is unusual," he muttered to himself. Then he turned back to Thonavar.

"Be strong, boy," said Lord Damon and placed a hand on Thonavar’s shoulder before striding away. "Now I must leave you. I have matters to attend to. Return the way you came. There is a portal gateway there. Step into the flashing red light."

"Like the one I entered upon arriving at Sanctum’s gates?"

"Yes. That is a portal. A faster means of corridor travel. It will take you to where you were."

A look of concern passed over his face. "An urgent matter calls me away."

With that, the Lord of Blades swept off, a flurry of black robes. He disappeared into one of the inner rooms within his chambers and vanished from sight.

A low growl sounded behind him. The black-robed and hooded Marcus stood behind Thonavar who knew his time with Lord Damon was up.

Thonavar gave Marcus one last look before striding out the door into the dimly lit hallway with candles. He walked up the hallway and returned to where he had stepped out of the corridor moments ago. True enough, a flashing red light greeted him and and stepped into it. The red light swallowed him completely and he disappeared.