CHAPTER 31
She was quiet as they rode through the woods, the wizard at her right, the elf to her left. She kept glancing at Tomaz, trying to be inconspicuous, but after a few times, he noticed and smiled in her direction.
“There is something on your mind, Princess. What do you want to ask?”
“I was just wondering why you were enlisted to this task.”
“I am the highest ranking warrior in the city. I was given the honor twenty-one yers ago when you were born, to present the sword to your parents. I have been watching you ever since.”
“Why?”
“We have been keeping you safe, and preparing you for this time in your life, without you actually knowing we were. We were the ones that gave your brother the insight to teach you the things he has, without actually interfering knowingly. You are better trained than even we hoped. Your brother was thorough.”
“To my father’s dismay.”
“Unfortunately your father was not aware of your destiny, and he died before we could tell him.”
“He wouldn’t have allowed it. Just like he didn’t like the gift you gave to me on my birth. He certainly would have refused the idea of me saving the world. He was a stubborn man.”
“Not so unlike his daughter, I would surmise.”
She smiled genuinely. “I will miss him.”
“I know. Despite his indifference in your destiny, he was a good man, and a good king. Do not let the sadness turn into anger, or the evil will creep in easier. You must not allow the pain in your life to cripple you, or your fear. You must do everything we teach you, without questions, no matter how much we push you. We know you are strong. You must believe it too.”
Her thoughts wandered to Dain. She never knew being away from him would be difficult. He must have read her thoughts.
“You will see him again, but you must keep your mind clear. His love for you, and the willingness he has to die for you, will help your strength to grow. Only the true love of another will keep the evil from being able to penetrate your soul completely, but it still can if you let it. Do not think of what might come, or what he is doing, concentrate only on what you are doing.”
“I’m still finding it hard to believe that someone as ordinary as me is supposed to save the world.”
Sol glanced at her and smiled.
“I was told once when I was a boy, that sometimes the smallest creature can have the biggest impact.”
“Alek said that to me. He said he heard it from you.”
“I’m glad to know someone actually listens to me.” He smiled, then went back to the previous subject. “No one is insignificant. You’re only ordinary if you choose to do nothing to change that fact.”
She looked over to him and smiled kindly. “I’m afraid.”
“I know, as you should be. But we’re here to teach you all you need to know in order to do what needs to be done.”
“I have to kill Fallon.”
“You do.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“That’s what we are here for.”
“You’re here to teach me how to be a killer?”
“We’re here to teach you what you must know, in order to do what is necessary.”
“Why can’t someone else kill him?”
“It is your destiny alone.”
She looked concerned.
“Do not worry Melenthia, you will be safe in the Elvin city for as long as it takes,” Tomaz said.
“I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about what might happen to the cities in the kingdom, or to Dain and my brother while I’m away.”
“They know what is required of them. They know the risks,” Sol added.
“I don’t want anyone to die for me.”
“They will do what needs to be done for the kingdom, just as you will do what is needed for it. No death for what is right, is in vain. Dain made a pledge to you that he would stand with you until the end, and that will make the difference in your fight against Fallon.” Tomaz reassured her.
“His love makes a difference?”
“Love makes the biggest difference. Without it, the world is lost.”
They continued on through the Sorcerers Wood in silence. Her thoughts wandered and she didn’t think she could get through the next few months without thinking of those people she loved the most; her brother and Dain. He had come into her mind more times than she could recall in the last few days. She longed to be next to his warm body, his strong arms wrapped safely around her. She longed for his touch and for his presence.
Her father had been gone for over a month, Kevaan the ruler of Aaralyn now. She longed to talk to him again, to have him tell her things would be alright as he had done when she was a small girl. She was no longer that small girl, and although she knew where her path had to take her, she still longed for someone to reassure her things would be okay.