Brian Anderson - The Sword of Truth

“Protecting me?” asked Gewey. “Protecting me from what?”

“It was I who brought you to safety so long ago,” it said. “It was I who has kept you secret from the world. But it is time.” The voice paused. “Time for you to join me.”

Suddenly another voice burst into his mind. “ He lies, Gewey! Don’t listen to him!”

Gewey felt as if a spell had been broken. “If you know me, then tell me who I am,” he said. “If you wish for me to join you, then send for me.”

“Of course,” answered the first voice. “Just tell me where you are, and you will be with me.”

“Don’t you know?” asked Gewey. “Aren’t you the one who brought me here?”

There was a long silence. Gewey felt the fury of the darkness press in.

“Tell me where you are, boy.” Its tone became threatening. “You cannot hide from me. I will find you.”

The darkness pressed harder and harder. Gewey wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go-no ground beneath his feet and no light to run to. His limbs felt heavy as panic set in.

“You cannot run,” the voice laughed. “You are mine .”

The darkness was crushing down on him. Gewey could no longer move or speak.

“Give in,” said the voice. “You fight me for nothing. I can help you. I can give you all that you desire.”

Gewey let out a final, desperate scream. The voice laughed, then faded away.

Gewey woke up drenched in sweat, his heart pounding like a drum. He could still feel the weight of the darkness on his chest, and the laughter of the voice echoed in his head. It took him a few minutes to calm down enough to get up and pour himself a cup of old wine. He barely tasted it as he quickly drained the cup. Just as he was about to pour another, he heard a horse galloping up to the house. Fear gripped him and he scanned the room for a weapon. The small knife he used for work was still in his pack in the barn, and his axe was in the shed on the side of the house. He spotted a carving knife on a shelf next to the cupboard and snatched it up. The hoof beats stopped, and at once there was a bang at the door.

“Gewey, open up.” It was Lee Starfinder.

Still gripping the knife, Gewey crept to the door and cautiously pulled it open. There stood Lee Starfinder, covered in sweat and still wearing his silk nightclothes. In his right hand he held a small sword. Gewey backed away from the door.

“Come with me,” commanded Lee. “We need to leave.”

Gewey stood in silence, unable to move.

“No time to lose your wits, boy,” said Lee, pushing past him. He scanned the house. “Nothing that can’t be left behind, I suppose.”

Gewey snapped out of his stupor. “Leave behind?” he cried. “What in blazes are you talking about?”

Lee looked impatient and a bit on edge, not to mention odd in his nightclothes.

“Do you have a saddle?” asked Lee.

“A saddle?” Gewey replied. “Why do I need a saddle?”

“Please don’t ask stupid questions.” Lee caught Gewey by the arm and pulled him towards the door. “If you have a saddle, get it. If not, I guess you’ll ride bareback. My horse can’t carry us both.”

Gewey snatched his arm away from Lee’s grasp. He leveled his eyes and straightened his shoulders, his fear replaced by anger. There was no way he was leaving without some sort of explanation. Lee noticed Gewey’s posture and grinned slightly.

“That’s the attitude we’ll need in the days to come,” said Lee. He motioned for Gewey to sit. “I hope you can appreciate that every minute we delay puts us both in greater danger. And if you hadn’t noticed, I am in a hurry.” Lee gestured to his own attire.

Gewey nodded and sat in a nearby chair. Lee closed the door but did not sit. Instead, he walked to the window and stared into the night.

“The dream you had tonight was real,” Lee began. “The voice you heard was that of the being that is casting the world into darkness. Now that he knows you exist, he’ll stop at nothing to find you.”

“Why me?” asked Gewey. “Who am I?”

“Don’t interrupt, boy,” scolded Lee. “Like I said, he’ll do anything to find you, but I won’t let that happen.”

“You’re not making any sense,” said Gewey. “How could you know about my dream?”

Lee sighed, turning away from the window. “What does it matter?” he said. “The very fact that I do know should stop your arguing. You must come with me now, before it’s too late. Something evil is coming for you, and if you don’t hurry, it will find you.”

Lee could see the confusion on Gewey’s face and softened his tone.

“Gewey, I know what was in the letter, and I know you probably have a million questions. I promise that when we’re safely away, I’ll answer as many as I can. Your father trusted me, and I would ask that you give me the same trust-at least for now.”

“He was not my father, and you know it,” said Gewey.

“Yes, he was,” said Lee. “He loved you, and that’s all you should care about. What difference should it make that you were not of his blood? It wasn’t blood that bound him to you. It was love, and trust me when I say, that means a lot more.”

Gewey felt ashamed. “I’m sorry,” he offered meekly. “It’s just that I don’t understand why he never told me.”

Lee walked over and placed his hand on Gewey’s shoulder. “I’m sure he had his reasons. And considering what happened tonight, I’m grateful he didn’t.”

Gewey looked up at Lee questioningly.

“Please just get ready,” said Lee. “When the dawn comes, we’ll talk.”

Lee gently pulled Gewey to his feet.

“No need to pack,” said Lee. “I have clothes and provisions at my estate being readied as we speak. I need you to saddle your horse now.”

“I don’t have a saddle,” said Gewey. “Never needed one. Besides, my horse has never been ridden; she’s a bloody work horse.”

Lee pondered the situation, then spun around and headed to the door. “I guess you have time to pack a few things after all,” he said as he opened the door and headed in the direction of the barn. “But be quick.”

Gewey did as he was told. He got dressed and packed a few clothes, personal items, and the last loaf of bread in the house. Once packed, he looked around, doused the flames in the fireplace, and turned off the lanterns. He had just grabbed his wool jacket when Lee burst through the door.

“Good, you’re ready,” said Lee. “Let’s go. Don’t worry, if we need anything else, we can pick it up along the way. I’ve left word with my staff to take care of the farm while we’re gone, so don’t worry about that.”

Gewey nodded curtly as they stepped outside. Apparently, Lee had been planning this for quite some time. Lee stowed his sword in the wagon and wrapped it in a blanket. Gewey’s horse, not accustomed to being handled by a stranger, stamped nervously. Lee’s own horse had been tied to the back of the wagon. It wore no saddle; Gewey suspected that Lee was in too much of a rush to bother with one.

“I suppose it will look less conspicuous if both of us ride into town on your wagon, rather than racing in on horseback; that is, if they don’t notice I’m wearing nightclothes,” said Lee. His tone was excited, and his movements were graceful and quick. Gewey marveled at how fast Lee could get things done. “Throw your pack on the wagon and let’s go.”

Gewey calmly obeyed. He still wasn’t satisfied with the reasons Lee had given for such a quick departure, but he did know that whatever was happening, the dream was real, and that thought made him afraid. Just thinking about it made the weight of the darkness return.