Roses on Fire ~ The Tale of Roses and Thorns 2.
Chapter 24~Light Bringer

They arrived in the small living room of a cozy cottage. The man who saved them was already sitting in an armchair with a cup in his hand, drinking something hot from it. On the table were three more cups, and a pot. The air was filled with the smell of herbs. Adrastos sat down on the sofa with a grunt.

Ivelle turned to the small window. It was snowing outside, and they were surrounded by huge pine trees. She turned back.

“We’re not in Prigon anymore.” she stated walking up to the men and sitting on the armrest of the sofa.

“No, we’re not.” answered the man “Give some tea to Adrastos. And drink some yourself too.” he motioned to the pot “It will help neutralise the poison sooner.” he added as an answer to Ivelle’s doubtful face.

After a short, but careful consideration of the situation, Ivelle stood up, went to the table, and poured some tea for herself and Adrastos. She handed one of the cups to her friend. Adrastos smelled it, looked at the man with a raised eyebrow, and drank carefully, not taking his eyes of him.

“Who are you?” asked Adrastos finally.

“You know the answer.” said the man, standing up and walking to the window “You were looking for me.”

“You’re Prôteus.” stated Adrastos.

“Yes.” said the man looking back at him “Why do you need my help?”

“We have to replace the Light Bringer.” said Ivelle carefully. The man hummed and walked up to the fireplace. He put a few logs on the fire.

“Why?”

“We want to defeat Merikh. He has the Dark Blade. There’s no other way.” said Adrastos. Prôteus sat back on his armchair.

“Why should I give the blade to you? How can I be sure that you won’t help your half-brother?”

“You can’t be. You’ll have to trust me.” answered Adrastos. Prôteus just hummed and stared into the fire. After a few minutes of silence he looked back at them.

“Do you know the story of the blades?”

“We have theories-”

“So no.”

“No.”

“The blades were made for the request of Aillard, High King of the Fairy-kind, about 1500 years ago. He asked the best smith to make two swords for his sons: One that had blade as gold as the sun, and another, a blade made of black steel, dark as the night. He named them the Sun Sword and the Night Sword. The blades were equal, and his sons used them for good purposes.” he took a deep breath, and reached for the pot” That is, until a few decades ago, when Erebos attacked Etalia.” he resumed while pouring some tea.

“Your father, Adrastos, didn’t want war with the whole of Sanctuary, only with his brother. Which is bad enough, but Allerick was the one who decided to involve the other kingdoms. And I have to add, Erebos was highly influenced by Delaney.” he took a deep breath, while Adrastos grunted” Anyway, after the death of your father, we, I mean me, Amardad and Charis, decided that both of the swords have to stay hidden. Amardad hid the Dark Blade in the Other World, while I took care of the Light Bringer.” he stopped and examined their faces.

“You have to tell us, where the sword is.” said Adrastos and winced.

“I know. I have already sent someone to get it.” he answered “He must be here any moment. Until then, let me have a look at your wound.” Adrastos slowly nodded and took off his shirt. His wound didn’t look good. “Miss Preston would you be so kind, to get me a bowl from the kitchen?” asked Prôteus. Ivelle nodded quickly and hurried to the kitchen. She picked up the nearest bowl and hurried back. She gave it to Prôteus, who filled it with different herbs and... tea? She watched the man putting the strange mixture on the wound. Then he put his hand on Adrastos’s forehead. Adrastos slowly closed his eyes.

“He’ll be asleep for a few hours.” he said and walked to the kitchen.

***

By the time the sun set, Adrastos was already up and about, healthy, like there had been nothing wrong with him. They were sitting in the small kitchen, eating porridge with berries, when they heard the front door open.

They put down their forks at once and turned cautiously around. A man, covered with snow, and with a huge bag appeared in the kitchen door. Ivelle couldn’t move from the surprise.

“Delroy!” she squeaked “I was already thinking about how to kill you, for not coming back for us.” she said with a light laugh.

“I sent someone for you.” smiled Delroy and gave a hug to Ivelle and turned to Adrastos “Your Highness, I’m happy to see that you’re still alive.”

“Very funny Delroy.” he said “What’s in the bag?” he asked nodding his head towards the mentioned object in his hand.

“Something that will end this war.” he said and put the bag on the counter.

Adrastos quickly opened it and pulled out a sword. The most beautiful sword, Ivelle has ever seen, to be precise. It was completely over-plated with gold, and its hilt was decorated with beautiful sky-blue gems. There was a phrase written on its blade.

“Transit umbra, lux permanent.” she whispered to herself.

“The shadow passes, the light remains.” nodded Adrastos “Motto of Etalia, and Allerick. Kings like to write their mottos on their swords.” he said and put the sword back to the bag.

“What’s written on the Dark Blade?” she asked. Adrastos just shrugged.

“Probably ’In absentia lucis, Tenebrae vineunt.’” answered Delroy.

“In absence of light...darkness prevails?” she asked uncertainly.

“Yes.” nodded Delroy.

“But that’s not right, is it, Adrastos?” asked Prôteus,

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen the blade from up close.” he said honestly. “But it doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it matters.” answered Prôteus “It’s part of your story.” Adrastos stayed silent.

“What do you mean?” asked Ivelle instead.

“There’s another motto. The one Erebos used before the death of his first wife.” said the man eyeing Adrastos” ‘Ad astra per aspera.’ Through adversity to the stars.”

“That’s what we use.” said Delroy.

“We?” asked Ivelle.

“Those who are loyal to him and not to Merikh.”

“And that’s what’s written on the blade.” said Prôteus.

That doesn’t matter now.” said Adrastos finally “We have to take the blade back to Sanctuary before it’s too late.” Prôteus nodded.

“I’ll open a portal for you. But remember something: you can’t win this war alone. You’ll need the help of the Forgotten Lands. You have every mean to get their help, don’t be afraid to use it.” Adrastos nodded “Well then,” said Prôteus opening a portal “Good luck. And as Virgil said: Audentis fortuna iuvat.1" the portal opened, and they stepped through.

On the other side, they found themselves in the middle of a forest.

“Where are we? ” Asked Ivelle looking around.

“Look up. ” Said Adrastos, looking at the trees. “Welcome to Nilmbelle, the capital city of Etealind. ”

1Fortune favours the bold.