“Light and life.” Alex considered the words. “Warmth and friendship as well.”
“Yes, those as well.”
“The lands beyond the wall look so inviting,” said Alex. “So restful.”
“It is not your time,” answered Calysto. “You have things to do in the world of light. You have promises to keep.”
“Yes. I do.”
“Then come,” said Calysto. “Please, return with me.”
“I . . . I will come,” replied Alex, suddenly tired. “I have promises to keep.”
Alex slowly climbed up the hill toward Calysto. When he reached her, he paused and looked back over his shoulder toward the shadowlands. Calysto reached out and quickly took his hand in hers. At her touch, he felt stronger and warmer as well. He knew he had made the right choice to return with Calysto, and he didn’t look back at the shadowlands again as they climbed the hill toward the light.
“Return,” Calysto’s voice said softly. “Return and find
happiness.”
And then the light swallowed the dream.
* * *
When Alex woke again he was lying in a soft bed covered with a warm, green blanket. Looking around, he saw he was alone in a low-roofed room, his sword and his magic bag sitting on the table beside his bed. Pushing back the covers, he tried to sit up, but his body was too weak.
“Not yet,” a soft voice said from the doorway. “You do not have your strength back.”
Alex looked up and saw a beautiful woman smiling at him. She walked into the room, her long golden hair shining in the sunlight and her bright green eyes full of happiness.
“You gave us quite a scare,” she said with a warm smile. “We thought we might lose you to the shadowlands, but it seems you have returned.”
“The shadowlands?” Alex questioned.
“The gray lands you saw in your dreams,” the woman answered. “You were close to crossing the wall when I called you back.”
“I . . . I know you,” Alex whispered.
“I am Calysto,” answered the woman. “I am the queen of the dark woods, and your very happy—and relieved—host.”
“The elves of the dark wood—Arconn’s kinsmen,” murmured Alex, more to himself than Calysto.
“Indeed,” Calysto replied softly. “And fortunate you were to find us so quickly. You would not have lasted the night without our care.”
“Where are the others?” Alex asked, feeling more awake with Calysto in the room.
“They are close,” said Calysto. “They will be happy to hear you are awake; they have been worried.”
“How long have I been here? I don’t remember reaching the forest.”
“You have slept for five days,” answered Calysto, looking into Alex’s eyes. “You spoke many things in your sleep, but that trial is behind you.”
“What . . . what did I say?”
“You should rest,” Calysto replied soothingly. “You have suffered much, and dark tales are best left for another time.”
“But I’m not tired,” said Alex. “And I wish to know what happened after . . . after I fell asleep,” he added haltingly.
Calysto moved to the far side of the room. She mixed something in a goblet as she hummed softly to herself.
“Drink this,” she said, returning to Alex’s bedside. “It will help you rest. Tomorrow, all of your questions will be answered.”
Alex took the goblet from Calysto’s hand, smiling weakly. The liquid seemed to warm him from the inside as he drank it, and he suddenly felt tired once more.
“Rest, my young friend,” he heard Calysto say as his eyes closed. “Rest and dream happy dreams.”
* * *
When Alex woke again, he felt wonderful. Sunlight flooded the room and his heart felt light inside of him. The memory of the shadowy figures at Aunk had lost its terror, and the cold he had felt was completely gone.
“You look much better,” commented Calysto, entering the room. “Though you will still be weak from lack of food.”
“I feel wonderful,” said Alex, sitting up and smiling at Calysto.
“After six days and nights of sleep you should,” said Arconn from the doorway.
“Arconn!” Alex exclaimed happily. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“I have never been far,” replied Arconn, smiling and bowing at Alex’s warm greeting.
“And he would have been closer, if I’d allowed it,” added Calysto, smiling at both Alex and Arconn.
“Only your word could keep me from his side,” said Arconn, bowing to Calysto.
“More like my word and a few threats,” replied Calysto with a happy laugh. “Though the threats were more for the others than you.”
“You are most kind, lady, and even your threats are music to my ears,” said Arconn, laughing.
“You may rejoin your friends,” said Calysto, handing Alex a goblet to drink. “They will be pleased to see you feeling so well.”
“Thank you,” said Alex, draining the goblet. “You have been very kind.” Calysto smiled and left the room so Alex was alone with Arconn.
“She seems so strange,” Alex commented, after Calysto had gone.
“How so?”
“I don’t know. It’s like happiness flows out of her.”
Arconn laughed and agreed with Alex’s comments. He helped Alex pull on his boots and walked close beside him as they left the room and the small house.
Alex was glad Arconn was close because he felt a little awkward on his feet. More than once he stumbled and Arconn had to catch him before he fell. Arconn led him slowly across a green meadow to another wooden house close by. Alex felt much better after the short walk, and even his legs felt stronger.
“Alex!” Thrang’s voice boomed as Alex and Arconn entered the house. “Thought we were going to lose you.” He rushed over and gathered Alex into a bear hug.
The rest of his companions crowded around, slapping Alex on the back and hugging him warmly as he moved into the room.
“Thought we’d lost you that time, little brother,” Skeld laughed, lifting Alex off his feet in yet another hug. “But our elf friends seem to have cured you.”
Alex felt truly happy as he returned the hugs of his companions and laughed with them. They all made a great fuss about making him comfortable and then rushed around the room, bringing out food and something for him to drink.
“That was close,” said Bregnest, sounding relieved. “We were lucky to find Arconn’s kinsmen so quickly.”
“You all seem to know what happened to me, can you tell me what happened to you?” Alex asked as he started to eat the food Thrang placed before him.
“On the night you fought the shadows, we were all overpowered by sleep,” said Thrang, eager to tell the story. “Even the noble Arconn succumbed to the wraith’s spell. That’s why there was no watch when you woke up.”
“I wonder why they didn’t use the same magic on me?” Alex questioned, slightly puzzled.
“I think they must have tried to put the spell on you as well,” said Arconn, taking a seat across from Alex. “But for some reason you were able to shake it off.”
“How many wraiths were there?” Andy asked. “I mean, if you can remember and don’t mind talking about it.”
Alex closed his eyes and thought for a moment. “I’m not really sure. At first I only saw one, but the voice kept saying, ‘join us,’ and, ‘ weare your friends.’ After I touched Moon Slayer, I saw there were several of them—maybe a dozen? I didn’t take the time to count.”
Andy looked surprised. “I’ve only ever heard of one or two wraiths together.”
“I would have been much happier with only one or two,” Alex said, shuddering at the memory.
“Once you’d defeated them, we all woke up,” Thrang went on. “We found you pretty quickly, but your body was stone cold. We were worried we were already too late.”
“I remember hearing you call,” said Alex, looking at Arconn. “I could hear your voice calling from a long way off.”