‘You’re all welcome to come,’ Henry said to Joseph and his boys.
‘No. We’ll return to our home. There’ll be plenty of work to see to,’ Joseph said. ‘Besides, you’ll be in need of good lumber when you rebuild.’
Peter stepped forward and shook Christopher’s hand. ‘We’ll visit often Christopher. We may be apart but our friendship will always bind us.’ James nodded as he grasped Christopher’s hand. Christopher may not have been born of their blood, but they considered him to be their brother.
They said their farewells and each party left to travel to their destination.
Christopher and Elle returned to Corn Fallow. The Bartholemews had cared for Albert and Rose while they’d been away, and they stayed a few nights with their family before the four of them headed home to The Dale.
Rose was glad to have Christopher home and see him happy. When Christopher told her that he and Elle were to return to Canistar in the spring, her heart had fluttered at the thought of him so far away. But Elle promised they’d visit often, and Christopher suggested that maybe she and Albert could also move to Canistar. Albert wanted to help rebuild their own village and so declined their invitation. The two young folk needed to make their own way in the world. But who knew, one day he and Rose might move but not just yet.
Rose ventured out and embraced life again. She widened her social circle and fear no longer played a part in her life. She found herself happy as she taught in the village school, while Albert continued working in his smithing shop. He’d employed a young lad from the village to help him with the work and Christopher had helped the boy settle in with Albert and Rose before he and Elle left to travel to the Keep. Although they both missed Christopher, they enjoyed their new life of peace. Rose’s child had grown and flown on to take his place in the world, and for that she was truly grateful. And she looked forward to the time when they’d travel north to visit at the Keep.
Chapter Forty-four
The spring rains came and the snow thawed. It had been nearly five months since Christopher had seen his grandfather.
Christopher and Elle travelled through the village of Canistar. They could see Mount Burlog in the distance, and Christopher surveyed the village as they continued down the main road. He thought this place once would’ve been a thriving community, but now the village showed the scars of the invasion and many of the buildings stood battered and empty.
They came upon the inn towards the edge of the village and as they passed by, Christopher noticed the faded sign. It was made from wood and hung in front of the building over the portico. Burnt into the sign was a picture of a tree. Christopher recognised it to be the same design as his father’s talisman, which he wore around his neck. Christopher remembered Henry’s description of the talisman and what the tree of life represented and then he knew for sure that his life was meant to be here. Together they’d rebuild the Keep and return it to the purpose for which it had originally been built, but this time all would be welcome within the walls, not just those who held the gift. All who came to learn would be taught the lessons needed so they could help their people when they returned home.
They rode through the gates of the Keep. Henry was outside reading under a tree as he enjoyed the spring weather. When he heard the clip clop of the horse’s hooves on the hard ground, it roused him from his book. He looked up and a smile lit his face. Rising from his seat he walked forward to greet them.
‘Thought you two might have been lost, but I see that you’re fine,’ he said and then continued with his happy grin. A young lad came over and took the reins of their horses as Christopher and Elle dismounted to greet him.
‘Finch, this is Christopher and Elle,’ Henry said as he introduced the boy.
‘Hello, Sir, Ma’am.’
‘Hello, Finch. Nice to meet you,’ Christopher said and Elle ruffled his hair.
‘Can you take their horses to the stables, and we’ll see you later for supper,’ Henry said to the boy.
‘Come inside.’ Henry ushered them towards the portal. Christopher and Elle followed him up the stairs. As Henry held open the door to the massive structure, Christopher and Elle stepped over the threshold.
‘Welcome home,’ Henry said.
Epilogue
Athena returned to The Sorcerer’s Dome. It was the place where she’d bound herself and now she lay upon the floor, in the altar room where she worshiped the Lord Zute.
As Athena lay upon the cold stone floor in front of the altar she sobbed. Her heart was broken, and she was filled with grief over the loss of her brother.
‘Arnak,’ she said over and over again. Her loss was paramount. A loss she couldn’t resolve and she lay upon the floor until finally sleep enfolded her within its wings and took her away to a land of peace.
It was sometime later when she awoke. The candles on the altar had burnt down to their stubs, their glow cast light upon the object before her. Her servants didn’t appear to comfort her; they now lay where they, too, had fallen upon Arnak’s demise. Athena was alone. She stared at the object upon the shelf. She knew what she had to do. It would take time, but she had plenty. Her body was still young even though she was older than her presence appeared. She rose from the floor and stood before the altar. Reaching out she took the book from the shelf.
The book she needed to bring forth her Lord from the Underlands.
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Watch for book 2 of
The Magic Within Series
‘Resurrection of an Empire’
Coming Soon
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
Chapter Forty-three
Chapter Forty-four
Epilogue
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