Wayne Batson - The Door Within

“Now, let’s not be too hasty, hmmm?” Falon laughed sinisterly. “I have grown fond of that reputation-it keeps away unwanted visitors, you see.”

“I’d like to come back and visit you some time,” Aidan blurted out.

“Is that allowed, Sir Aidan?” Falon asked. “Well, no matter. You, Sir Aidan, are forever welcome here.” Falon turned to leave, but quickly looked back at the young knight. “Now, on your way. Farewell, young Aidan. Farewell all!!”

And with that Falon was gone-back to the dark caverns and tunnels beneath the mountains. Aidan turned and led the way up the steep, winding stairway.

Somehow, the climb was so much easier than the descent, for Aidan had nothing left to fear. In a flash they reached the top, where the late-afternoon sun all but blinded them.

“It is glorious to be out in the sun again,” one of the Mithegard Knights declared.

“It is glorious to be free!” another agreed.

Aidan turned, looked at the Mithegard Knights, and couldn’t help but smile. They were filled with tremendous joy-the joy of freedom that can only be felt by those who realize what it’s like to have that freedom taken from them. It was at that moment, staring into their eyes, that Aidan realized something amazing.

“Your eyes glint blue!” he yelled at the Mithegard Knights.

“These knights,” Gwenne announced, gesturing, “have decided to follow the King of Alleble.”

“We should have made this decision long ago,” said one of the knights, his long blond hair dancing in the light breeze. “We were entranced by the shiny gold trinkets from Paragory’s poison vaults.. .. Our greed has cost us much.”

Aidan recalled the slaughter at Mithegard. It just didn’t make sense how so many could be so blinded by their desires for riches and power. But then Aidan remembered how, deep in Falon’s maze, he himself had foolishly gone after the golden treasures, ignoring the right path.

“Yes,” Aidan nodded gravely. “We are all very fortunate to have survived our poor decisions.”

“Well said,” agreed one of the Mithegard Knights. Aidan fought the urge to laugh. It had been well said, but where in the world had this surprising wisdom come from?

Before this adventure, Aidan had struggled just to get a C on a math test, but now… now things were different. Aidan could know more, see more, and do more than he ever could have alone. And I will never be alone again, Aidan thought.

They walked for another hour, their pace quickening as they drew nearer to the burned-out walls of Mithegard. When they approached the smashed gates, Glimpses in bright silver armor poured out to greet them, but they were not from the ruined city. They were Knights of Alleble, and leading the way were four familiar faces.

Kaliam, Farix, Nock, and Mallik charged into Gwenne and Aidan. They held one another for long, silent moments as only soldiers who have battled side by side can embrace. In the looks that were exchanged there was grief, exhaustion, understanding, and relief. Great joy there was also, but tragedy tempered every smile.

“Sir Aidan, I feared you would perish in that dreadful creature’s lair!” Kaliam declared, grasping Aidan by the shoulders. “And, Gwenne, it was almost beyond hope to have you both back safe!”

“Almost,” Gwenne agreed, hugging Kaliam in turn. “But, with the mighty King of Alleble behind us, nothing is beyond hope! It was an extraordinary adventure!”

“I knew you’d make a first-rate knight the moment I saw you!” declared Mallik with a gleam in his eyes. Nock cast a disparaging look at his hammer-wielding friend.

“Your arm, Aidan!” exclaimed Kaliam. “That nasty wound needs attention.”

“I’ll be all right.” In a weird kind of way, he was hoping it would leave a scar.

“How did you do it?” asked Farix. “How did you pass Falon’s Stair? And how did you liberate Gwenne and the Mithegardians?”

“I’ll be glad to tell you,” Aidan said, looking among the other knights who had come out to greet them. “But where… where are the others?”

Mallik’s jaw trembled, but he mastered it and threw his shoulders back. Tears burst forth from Nock’s eyes. Kaliam seemed the only one who could speak. “Tal is in the city, for he could not bear to leave the wounded. But… the rest of our company, the rest fell in the battle.”

“No,” Aidan said, choking. He looked questioningly into Nock’s eyes. “Bolt?”

“My brother was slain,” Nock said slowly. “We emptied our quivers on the dark knights, but still they came. We fought with sword and dagger, but they rushed us with spearmen. Bolt was slain from behind, and I would have died with him if it weren’t for the valiant onslaught of Sir Mallik. He brought his hammer on those villains and drove their bones into the earth! Never again will I argue my bow against his hammer.”

“I only wish-” said Mallik. “I only wish I could have gotten to you sooner. But my hammer cannot reach like your bows.”

Kaliam said, “Matthias and Eleazar were defending the castle gates when… when an explosion took them.”

Gwenne stared wide-eyed like a lost child. Her question was barely audible. “You did not speak of Captain Valithor?”

Aidan, half-choked with tears, told Gwenne of the Captain’s brave sacrifice. She fell into Aidan’s arms, and they wept.

Finally, Kaliam said, “There will be time for mourning, but there is much left to be done-not the least of which is to get you a warm bath, a warm plate, and a warm bed lest your spirit fail utterly. Come, the city is not wholly destroyed, and with the supply sent from Alleble, the board is not as bare as you may suspect.”

As Kaliam and the other Alleb Knights ushered them inside, Aidan began to realize just how dirty, hungry, and weary he had become. His armor, still the black-and-crimson Paragor armor he had borrowed from Falon, was caked with dirt and dried blood. The fabric of his breeches and other garments was filthy with sweat and grime from the horrific battles and difficult travels. He longed for a warm bath and a fresh set of clothes. Never before had he so much wanted to be clean.

For days, Aidan had been forced to survive on very little food. So when Kaliam mentioned being fed, Aidan’s stomach churned with hunger.

But perhaps even overpowering his other felt needs was the desire to rest. He wanted sleep in the worst way. But a young attendant from King Ravelle’s court insisted on tending Aidan’s arm.

“This dressing will need to be changed twice a day,” the attendant said. “Or else the wound could turn green and you could lose that arm. Do you understand?”

Aidan nodded yes.

“There, that should do it,” said the attendant. “Now, I think your friends will lead you to your quarters and a soft bed.”

A bed sounded like paradise.

Kaliam led Aidan and Gwenne inside a cottage near the kingdom’s outer walls and showed each of them to a room. Aidan fell into his room’s small bed.

As he lay there, tears flooded his tired eyes. In such a short time, he had witnessed unspeakable horrors. So many innocent souls slain and cast aside. He thought of Eleazar, Matthias, Bolt, and Captain Valithor-friends for far too short a time.

Aidan awoke to the sound of Kaliam banging on his door. “Arise, Sir Sluggabed, arise!” Kaliam bellowed. “Or do you plan to sleep another day away?”

Another day? Aidan thought with a start. He ran to the door and let Kaliam in.

“How long have I been in here?” Aidan asked.

“Almost a day and a half,” Kaliam replied with a smile. “Now, up with you. I’ve drawn you a warm bath and filled a table with food. Make haste, for we must leave for Alleble in time for the great ceremony.”