Alphande'

“You’re a far way from home and even further from where you were sent young claw.” I turned around quickly seeing a claw dressed in a burlap robe. He leaned casually against a tree while he rubbed his cane between his palms twisting it in the ground.

“How is it that you are here Old Claw of the Hill?” I asked surprised as only a moment ago the spot where stood was empty.

“I was hunting and it led here. Come and sit with me by the fire, it will get cold tonight.” he stopped moving his stick and a fire suddenly appeared. I moved closer to him and sat done, looking at the strange orange flames that burned on no fuel. “Why are you here Dominic of Au Valley?” he said causing me to look up from the strange fire.

“You told me to search the place of the feldünstar and the truth would be found.”

“Did you find the truth?”

“Yes, I found the footprint of the one who demolished our village. It was Gedric.”

“And the note I left?”

“You wanted me to search for Evander, but that is not possible as he walks this land no more.”

“I suppose that is the truth in some form.” he said taking out a silver flask which I knew held the tangy fruit wined that warmed bones. He offered it to me and I took it willingly. “Did you seek the council of your elders before you started the journey?”

“How could I when the leader of the clan was the same person who betrayed us. The proof was left in the print of his sapoli. I have not faced another in the village since that day. The day we meet again either him or me would be dead.”

“Then that is the reason you failed. The whole truth was not learned after all.” he said taking back the flask.

“The proof was irrefutable!” I protested.

“It was, but you read it wrong. You must correct it, if you do not you will have doomed this land young claw. Time is limited as you have only till sunrise to find the real truth. Think hard and be wise.” he said getting up.

“I do not understand what you want me to know.”

“You already know as much as you need to. But I will tell you this, the king walks this land no more, but he walks. Guard ye well the stone that open talks. These are my words to you and listen well, you live among friends that are foe, find the one who looks like one you know. I wish you the blessing of the ancestors Dominic son of Au Valley.”

“The fire it burned on nothing but air, was that magic you used?”

“Both you and I know that Ulgana don’t know how to use magic.”

“Are you an Alkarbrafä?’

“You already know what I am, why do you ask?”

“It is said that the Ulgana of the North and Alkarbrafä do not get along. Why must I trust you not knowing if you mean to send me into harm?”

“Simple really, you are not an Ulgana of the North. You don’t belong to them and never will. The same for me, I am a changeling yet I am not. Many years I have known the Verdans and I have never veered them wrong. That is the only assurance I give. Take it if you want, leave it if you want, but be prepared to deal with the consequences.”

“I will take it.”

“Then you are as wise as I predicted. You will be good for your kind.” he said turning to leave.

“Wait!” he turned. “I do not know your name elder.”

“A name? A name is a powerful thing. I can no longer be the Claw of the Hill since I walk the plains now. You can call me Nightwalker.” He smiled toothless smile and hobbled off. The strange fire disappeared and there was no sign or sound of him.

I went to my post looking at the dark city miles away. My eyes fought unwillingly against the fog of sleep that was overcoming them. The truth was in the sapoli. Again I was transported to the hill overlaying Au Valley. I used my fingers to mark the outline of the print. The great toe was missing from the left foot.

The truth was in the sapoli.

Gedric’s sapoli was on his right foot!

I bolted upwards, not aware that I had fallen asleep. Dawn threatened to dispel the darkness of night as purple clouds lined the horizon of the distant sea.

They want me dead as I knew the truth. That was the reason I was chosen to steal the stones of Mern from the king’s castle. I bellowed loudly, listening as my voice filled the air with my rage. I took the green stone out looking at the green flickers of light that shone through it. I would go with them to the castle of the human king but it will not be to steal the stones of Mern, but to gift him one instead. I returned the stone to my pouch and walked back to camp.