Their clothes rippled, their flesh squirmed. They were united in one act, one thought.
The wave chased down every last Neshing, and every reptilian beast. It rode all the way to the East Coast, and to the beach of the Fifling Sea. It destroyed the Neshing ships, ripping them to splinters, and blowing them across the waves. It swept every mage out into the boiling sea.
The beach was stripped clean.
Back on the battlefield, Pim and Sooth-Malesh collapsed. Tolan rushed to their aid; he and Anelle of the D’Elkyrie helped them up.
Drith saw the stone dangling precariously from Pim’s grip. He rushed to seize it, but Olani stepped before him, pointing a sword at his chest.
“Go to your people,” she said. “Celebrate our victory.”
“You have changed much in my absence, Lady Olani of the North. We will be meeting again.”
She watched him leave, then joined Tolan and the others.
Pim sat and caught his breath. He shook his head, rubbing his eyes. “I feel so tired… so worn out. What happened?”
“We won Pim, we won!” Tolan cried.
Sooth-Malesh embraced Pim. He put his his hand over the stone, but did not take it from him. “Put in in your pack, young Wivering. Your mission is not yet complete.”
###
In the palace, the King rewarded everyone with praise, gold mediallions, and wreaths of fragrant flowers atop their heads. He had finally come out of his bed chambers, and out of his stupor.
“All of Athora thanks you for your service. We would not be here without you.”
The King waddled over to the table and began eating, stuffing his face with meat, and cheese, and bread.
Sooth-Malesh took Pim by the shoulders and walked him away from the banquet table. “The stone is much too powerful for any of us to keep. Already, armies are discussing how to get it. You, Pim, must take it and hide it as far away from the civilized worlds as you can go. Use your fleet and hide; tell no one where it is. No one.”
“Is it truly evil? If not, we could use it to…”
“No, one one can use it. It is neither good, nor evil, but none can control it for very long. You must hide it from all of us, and I will cast a spell of forgetfulness. All those I’ve told about its existence will forget. They will never know that it was real. Only you and I will know, Pim.”
Shannara’s sister, Anelle, came to Pim; he took her hands. “I am so sorry about your sister. She was the bravest woman I have ever known.”
“She was honored to fight along side you. I know she would thank you as I do for saving our world.”
“I did not act alone.”
“No you did not,” Tolan said, joining their sides. “But you were the one to secure each stone. Without you, we could not have even freed them. You are our hero, Pim, our savior.”
Olani walked with them now, as well. Her newfound strength gave her purpose: she would lead her people out of the ashes and into a new North.
“Sooth-Malesh held the city well,” Olani told the others.
“We all played our parts with honor,” Sooth-Malesh said. “A delicate chain to the end. May those who have fallen find peace, and know their sacrifice was not in vain.”
Drith had had enough. He slinked out of the hall and went to his guest chambers. Inside, Gyrn greeted him.
“Brother,” Drith said. “It is good to see you.”
“And you,” Gyrn walked up and embraced him. “And the stone, have you secured it yet?”
“No, I’m afraid it is too well guarded.”
“Not even a piece?”
“Fear not, there is time. By cover of night, we can…” He pulled away from Gyrn. “Brother… why do you wear my colors? I am King… why are you painted like me?”
“Because you were never expected to return, Brother. You were stronger than I had imagined. But still, very stupid.”
Drith felt pain bite into his gut. He looked down to see Gyrn holding two serrated blades inside him. His cry died in a choke of blood. He reached for his twin, but was too weak.
“I will rule the South just as well as you, no… better.” He pushed Drith to the floor, and dragged him to the window. “You will be one more victim of the battle, and when they find you, it will be my death they mourn.” He pushed Drith’s body out of the window, and to the rubble below.
“The South will find its power again.” He vacated the room.