Tenth of Frostmaire

At first there was nothing but darkness – no sensation, no feeling, just complete and utter black. Only slowly did she become aware of her surroundings. She was still lying in the dirt of Delorax’s Shadowlands, though now the mist was gone. She wasn’t alone, she was slow to realise. Someone sat near her, and she winced as she sat up.

“You will heal.”

The voice was far too familiar, and her head snapped over to look at the same smile that had filled her dreams over the years.

“Father?”

Androv smiled sadly and nodded as he took Belkai’s hands in his. “Elkur thought that you could use a friendly face after everything.”

Belkai frowned. “Am I-”

“Dead?” Androv shook his head. “No. You know, of course, that the Arcane planes are not quite physical, but also not completely spiritual.”

Belkai nodded. This wasn’t how her father would have spoken, but she imagined that his perspective would be somewhat different now.

“At Elkur’s pleasure, the dead can move back and forth in this reality. The specifics are beyond me.” Androv shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. My time is short, but I want you to know that I am proud of you. I have seen everything, and I am proud.”

Belkai nodded through the tears that were welling up. “I miss you.”

Androv gave her a sad smile. “I know. But it’s not your time yet.”

His smile turned to a smirk, and he gave her a wink. “I like Davos. It’s a shame I never got to meet him. But he is a good man, Belkai. I’m glad you caught him.”

“He is the best of them,” Belkai agreed, but then her eyes went wide. “He’s hurt.”

“I know. Look in your hand.”

Belkai did, and found that she held a pile of yellow and green leaves, each about an inch long and rough to the touch.

“Make him drink those and he’ll be fine.” Androv placed a hand on her knee. She had forgotten the gentleness of his touch. “You need to go. Know that I am watching you.”

A soft light surrounded Belkai, then she faded away. Androv kept staring at the empty space where she had been and let himself weep.

“Goodbye, my petal.”

***

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Belkai’s eyes flew open to find that she was still laying in the clearing. Syndra was nearby, leaning over something and whispering in elvish. Belkai put a hand to her side, shocked to find that the deadly wound had been healed over.

“She’s back!” Daria’s voice called out, and Syndra turned, her eyes wide when she saw Belkai.

“It’s Davos,” she said. “He and Lithmae are hurt bad.”

“I know.” Belkai stumbled over to them and handed the leaves to Syndra. “Crush these into a drink for them.”

“What is it?” she asked, frowning at the unfamiliar plants. Belkai shrugged.

“They’re going to help them. That’s all I know.” She sat beside Davos and ran a hand through his hair. He had no visible wounds, but the blood in his eyes told of internal damage from the blast. He smiled weakly at Belkai, but she could feel his life draining away.

“What happened?” Arak asked as he joined them. His arm was burned but otherwise he seemed to have made it through the battle alright.

“Delorax took me to his realm,” Belkai told them. “He’s dead.”

Arak sensed that there was more to the story, but he let it go. She would speak when she was ready, he knew. He watched as Syndra gently poured the concoction into both men’s mouths. They accepted it without a fight, then were asleep in seconds.

“How long?” Arak asked.

“I have no idea,” Belkai admitted. “It won’t be long. Davos is healing already.”

It was a few more minutes before Davos’ eyes slowly opened and he looked up at Belkai.

“What happened?”

“You were hurt when Delorax came,” Belkai whispered. She ran a thumb along his cheek and smiled. “You’re okay now. He’s dead.”

“Lithmae?”

Belkai glanced over at the elf, who was speaking quietly with Syndra. “Physically, he’s okay. But Loranna...”

“I know.” Davos grimaced. “I am done with this war.”

Belkai stared blankly at the trees for a moment, then whispered to him,

“There will always be someone looking for this power. Falkar is still out there. And there will be others.”

“How do we stop them?” Arak asked. To his surprise, it was Lithmae who answered.

“Belkai would have to destroy the Source and end Narandir’s power.”

Belkai nodded slowly. “Elven magic will always run deep here. But the elves will be free. There is no Lord of Narandir if that deeper power is removed.”

“What about your power?” Davos asked.

“I will always be Brilhardem,” she answered. “But the power of the Ascendant? That will likely be lost.”

“We trust you,” Lithmae told her. “This war must end.”

Belkai turned back to Davos, who nodded weakly. “Write a new chapter in our world.”

She sat back and closed her eyes. Perhaps for the last time, she let her senses tap into Narandir’s magic and run through the Forest. She connected with every tree, plant, and creature. For a moment she soared with Blackwings and scurried with little spiders. It is time for you to be free.

At the core was the Source, its power radiating from the portal. She focused her energy, moving through the portal and finding the crystal. She sensed the presence of the spectral guardian, who seemed to understand her purpose. She had expected him to resist, but he was placid, accepting. Did you know all along, she wondered. She could almost feel him smile. It was time then.

With a single command from Belkai, the crystal shattered and unleashed its power in a fiery blast that instantly shattered the caves that had held it. The surrounding oceans rushed in, filling the void and burying it from memory. A burst of energy from the collapse shattered the portal, and Zumani’s artefact exploded. The ground fell away beneath the dwarven ruins, swallowing them up and leaving a crater of devastation.

When the pain had subsided, Belkai opened her eyes. She smiled and looked over to Lithmae and Syndra.

“You’re free.”