He had earned Vantrax’ trust over many years of loyal service and he’d played a major part in the victory over Artrex, so he had been believed by everyone when he’d said that the stones were destroyed. No one, not even Vantrax himself, had questioned his word.
“Aarrghhhhhhhh!”
Sawdon turned sharply to look at his King. It was Vantrax who had screamed in anger and his face was now blood red with rage.
“Destroyed!!! Destroyed you said! In a Fire! The Keeper dead and the box destroyed!!!” he shouted, so loudly that all of the others in the room shivered in fright. “Then how do you explain this, Sawdon? Of all my warriors, that it should be you who has failed me!”
Sawdon bowed his head in shame. “My Lord, I... I have neither explanation nor excuse, I have failed you and my life is yours.”
He drew his sword from its scabbard and knelt down on the floor with his head bowed, offering it to Vantrax with outstretched arms, inviting him to end his life.
The evil wizard was still furious and began reaching for the sword, but then he hesitated. With his fist still clenched in rage, he shouted out again. “Aarghhhhh! Get out of my sight! Go!!”
Sawdon stood up slowly, he was about to leave the room when Melissa spoke.
“Forgive me. But does this mean what I think it means? The stones still exist? They were not destroyed? Then surely this is a great opportunity? The past is of no concern now. Your own stone grows weaker each time it is used, the search for others has proved fruitless, if the stones exist somewhere, this has to be good news and we should act quickly.”
Melissa paused briefly, she was confident now that she had everyone’s full attention and could see that Vantrax’ mood was visibly improving. “Send me through the portal sire, I could...”
Vantrax stopped her in mid sentence. “No. You are young and bright, Melissa. You have a cunning mind that I like, but you shall not go this time.”
He turned his head towards Sawdon. “The task shall fall to the one who has already failed me. Sawdon, go and fetch Boghias and Adrob. Make yourselves ready. The three of you are going to retrieve those stones. And kill anyone who gets in your way! If it is not the stones we seek, bring me whatever opened that portal. I want no mistakes this time, no excuses for failure, now go!”
Sawdon nodded his head sharply in acknowledgement and left the room quickly, grateful for the chance to redeem himself and determined to succeed this time.
“Forgive me again, sire.” said Melissa, clearly frustrated at being overlooked for such an important task. “But, if you are so determined to get those stones, why not send an army through? Why send only three warriors?”
“The Lichtus is not powerful enough to send more than three.” answered Vantrax. “We tried before, several times, each attempt failed. It was a long time ago, before you joined us, only small numbers made it through, the rest...? I do not pretend to know all of the Lichtus’ secrets, but somehow there is a limit on what it can do, crossing between worlds at least. I only know that three is the maximum we were ever able to send. Besides, Sawdon will not fail me a second time. He knows the consequences!” he declared boldly.
Vantrax turned to address the others in the room. “This news has shocked us all. But, as my young Sebantan Princess has stated, it is a great opportunity. And it is one which we shall seize. We continue as planned. I will strengthen the Southern Army, I will use the Lichtus once more to locate the rebels, and Stryos will command my Northern Army in a battle which will defeat them, once and for all. Melissa will proceed to the port of Riemkyn, where ships and soldiers of my raiding force await. She will recruit more soldiers and slaves. Obreth will return to the south and consolidate, hold what we have until Melissa joins him with fresh warriors. This event may yet provide us with a weapon to defeat both our enemies swiftly and decisively. But we will prepare all the same for every outcome.”
The evil King sat down in his chair, his mood had changed completely and he was now feeling rather pleased with himself. Obreth and Melissa bowed their heads and left the room.
“Strymos, come, stand next to me, and we shall see where your