Return of the Darkness Read online

  “Smart boy!” Galdrac said sardonically patting him gently on the head, before stepping over to the group of elves.

  Finley just stood and waited, unsure as to what he was supposed to be doing. He watched on as Galdrac chatted to the group of elves, appearing to already know at least some of them. His gaze wandered around the brightly painted room, with its large open windows across one wall, allowing a nice warm air to blow through. The floor was made up of a shiny white stone, with a peculiar looking symbol set in smaller black stones at the centre.

  Eventually, Galdrac wandered back over to him, although Finley could see several of the elves staring his direction. Apparently, he thought, it was obviously deemed okay for them to glare, but not for him. “Why are we here?” he asked Galdrac as he approached, “And when can we have something to eat, I’m starving?” The old man frowned, “All in good time lad. Firstly, we are here because I told your mother I would bring you here. Secondly, we can go and eat now,” came the reply.

  Finley was about to follow Galdrac as the man turned to walk away, glad his stomach was soon to get some food. “Wait! You know my mother?”

  “Of course I do. I just told you that.”

  “Well, when was the last time you saw her?” Finley asked rushing his words as a multitude of questions that needed answering rushed into his head.

  “Just a few moments ago,” Galdrac replied casually pointing over to the group of elves he had just been talking with.

  Finley froze in place, turning his head slowly to look back at the group, but which was his mother? There were three female elves there as he could see. From behind two male elves, a young woman slowly stepped forward. Her long white hair hung freely down beyond her shoulders, and her pale-skinned face gave a smile. “Mum?” he asked unsure whether she was or not. The elf said nothing but slowly walked towards him, looking slightly saddened as she approached. At first, he thought she looked far too young to be his mother, before remembering they did not age as quickly.

  Finley felt his heart pounding so hard it could explode at any moment. With a multitude of emotions overwhelming him, he felt tears building in his eyes as she lifted her slender hand up to his face. “I have longed for this day,” she said brushing Finley’s hair behind his ear, as her own emotions got the better of her.

  One of the male elves stepped forward “Come, perhaps we should allow them to become reacquainted. Come join us when you are ready. I am sure you have much to ask young Finley?” In truth, Finley wasn’t actually listening to what was being said, but made a kind of grunting noise, as he wiped his eyes on his sleeve. Trying to control his breathing, he asked the one question that had always plagued his mind, “Why did you leave mother?” After wiping her own tears away, although, in a more refined way than Finley had done, she spoke, “It is a long story. Come on you must be hungry and tired. I will explain everything,” she added placing a hand around his shoulder.

  Chapter 7.

  Finley walked beside his mother, as they made their way down a very elegant set of white stone steps. Clearly, she was emotional as he was feeling, although both evidently feeling awkward in each other’s company. He noticed how the building they were in was much brighter than those he was used to, lined with flowers and plants the like of which he had never seen, and thought as if they had made a conscious effort to bring the outside in.

  Finley noticed how the elves ahead of them moved far more slowly and in a much more elegant way than humans tended to do as if gliding across the floor. He felt his mother’s small hand encapsulate his own, as she turned into another large open room. The windows were a little unusual as they ran the full length of one wall, and from the floor right up to the ceiling. Despite the fading light outside, the room was kept illuminated by a series of strange lamps hanging from the roof, that appeared to be utilising the same magical orbs of light he had seen back in the human lands.

  “Come and sit down my dear,” his mother said softly, gesturing with her free hand to a long table where the others were already seated. He noticed Galdrac look over to him as if to check everything was okay. In all honesty, he was unsure as to exactly how he felt. There was certainly a mixture of emotions going on, and not all of them good ones. After all, this was the woman who had turned her back on him when just a few days old, and had never bothered to contact him since. Many times he had pondered about this very moment, and yet now it was here he was unsure what he should be feeling.

  The food upon the table appeared strange and not quite what Finley was expecting. There was no sign of any meat, just a selection of fruits and vegetables, some of which he had never seen before. However, he was hungry and did not want to appear rude. After being told to help himself, he did just that and selected a few pieces he thought he would probably like, although not convinced it would fill him up for any length of time.

  While he bit into a slice of juicy melon, he looked up to see his mother just looking at him, smiling as if she was indeed genuinely pleased he had arrived. “If you are ready, I will explain to you why I had to do what I did,” she suggested still watching him. Finley nodded he was ready, although had every intention of continuing to eat while she did.

  The story had started about a year before Finley was born when his father and mother were fighting alongside each other against the creatures of the darkness. Apparently, there had been a slight increase in numbers intruding upon elven lands, and they had been sent to deal with the growing threat. Finley had no idea what the creatures being referred to were, but rather than interrupt he let his mother continue. During one particular battle, his father was injured and as a result had to retreat back to safety. While there his mother had sought him out on her own return and helped him during his recuperation.

  Ultimately one thing led to another, and the two fell in love. However, as a daughter of an Elven High Council member, such a relationship would never be allowed, particularly one between an elf and a human. When Finley’s mother fell pregnant, the scandal needed to be avoided, and hence her father, Finley’s grandfather, had ordered the baby terminated, as even if it survived birth, it would be an abomination, likely deformed in some way. However, it had been his grandmother that had stood by her daughter and helped usher her to the safety of the human lands. There was one condition though, and that was a promise that once the child was born, she would return without it and never seek it out.

  Since news that Finley’s father had passed away, his mother had eventually persuaded her own parents, who were no longer high council members, that the time was right to bring her son home. Even they had been surprised that such a child had been born normal, and had grown up as any child would. Apparently, relationships between races were rare, often risky for those involved, but having offspring that survived was even more so. It was often said that any child born of mix race would be born an abomination, a punishment by the gods for sinning against nature. “And yet here you are, my perfect, beautiful son,” his mother said still teary eyed.

  Finley looked up from his plate, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, and leaning back in his chair. He gave his mother a smile, having now had an explanation as to why she had left him, perhaps it was time to start getting to know her. Come to think of it, from what he had just been told, it seemed he didn’t know his father as well as he had thought. The man had never spoken about battling mythical beasts and had never even hinted that the woman who had given birth to his child was an elf. With so many questions spinning in his mind, and not knowing which one to ask first, he found himself saying nothing. However, there was still yet more to listen too, and something that intrigued him further.

  Finley’s father had been something called a shaman. Quite what that was he was unsure, but his initial thought was that it meant some kind of religious man. Not only that, but apparently his mother was known as a druid, although Finley had no idea what that was either. “Have you had your awakening yet my dear?” his mother asked reaching her hand over the table and placing it over hi
s own.

  “Awakening? Sorry, I don’t know what that is either,” he said eyeing up another piece of fruit, a type of which he had not tried yet. His mother laughed, not in a mocking kind of way, but more of a happy one, as she gestured for him to keep eating. “I’ll explain more later. I need to speak to a few people and make some arrangements,” she said slowly standing, before explaining for Finley to stay with Galdrac for now.

  Finley yawned, remembering to cover his mouth as he did so. The day had been long, and like none, he had ever experienced before. His eyes had been opened to an entirely different world to the one he thought existed, having now seen first-hand, the use of magical powers. He had seen dwarfs and elves for the first time, but the one thing that stood out above everything else was his mother. A person, whom he had never for one moment even dreamed he would ever see, and yet here he was in the elven capital with her.

  After they had eaten, Galdrac gestured for Finley to follow, and after looking around to see if he could see his mother, did so. The pair of them walked down another corridor, before exiting through an unusually shaped doorway that arched at the top. They, in turn, led outside to a well-illuminated garden area, where Finley stopped just briefly to gaze at one of the magical balls of light.

  Galdrac led him to a smaller building, just the other side of the garden, which they entered through a similarly shaped set of double doors. Inside was once more brightly coloured, although this room felt a little more homely than the previous building had. Several pictures adorned the walls, although when he stopped to look at one more closely, he was told to keep up.

  From the hallway, he was led up a set of swirling stairs that twisted left then right, before emerging on to an open landing area. Several doorways ran along the landing area, although Galdrac gestured Finley to the nearest one. “You are staying here tonight,” he said opening the door for him, before wishing him goodnight and walking off, back the way he came.

  Finley stood for a few moments just peering through the doorway before actually entering. This room was far grander than any he had ever stayed in before. Aside from the bed, which he thought ridiculously oversized, there was a large set of drawers, a small fireplace, even a washstand with a jug of water, bowl and towels ready for him to use.

  After dumping his few belongings on the floor, he walked over to the bed, running his hand over the smooth silk-like sheets, thinking they must have been very expensive. Unlike the common areas of the house, this room was lit by more traditional means, probably so he could put the oil lamp out if he wished. Feeling exhausted, he thought a good night’s sleep would be very welcoming, and decided to have a wash as well; something he had not done since leaving home. After removing his tunic and shirt, and pouring a little of the clean water from the jug into the wash bowl, he picked up the strongly perfumed soap and started to wash his hands and face. After feeling somewhat fresher just by doing those, he thought what the heck and made up his mind to do other parts of his body, some of which had not seen soap for a while. He thought about taking the necklace off, thinking, as it had been his mother’s she might like it back, but decided to keep it on, for now, just in case he misplaced it.

  Suitably cleaned up, he replaced his under clothes and lifted the sheets off the bed, and slipped inside. After leaning over to extinguish the lamp sat atop the small cabinet beside it, he rested his head down on the pillow. The mattress was so soft and comfortable, he felt as if he were sinking into it, and was soon fast asleep. As was now the norm during his hours of sleep, Finley quickly found himself being pursued by the dark shadows that haunted his dreams.

  Moving through the dense forest, Finley could once more see the dark shape in the distance. Just as last time, the strange pulsating shadowy mass seemed unable to move any closer, as if something or somebody was keeping it at bay. The voices started calling out his name, and despite turning about trying to judge from which direction they came from, he was unable to do so. As he moved, the darkness once more followed, slipping between the broad tree trunks with their eyes flickering open as he passed them by.

  As the dream appeared to be just like his previous ones, for the first time Finley did not feel afraid. Instead, he calmly walked around his imaginary world, all the time being shadowed by the single entity of darkness. For the first time, he stopped and examined one of the trees a little more closely. However, much to his disappointment it felt and looked like any other tree trunk, even in this strange world that was his imagination. He turned quickly as he heard a new sound, not sure what it could be. He trembled in fear, as where there was one singular dark shadow, now stood hundreds, only now they took a form. Standing much taller than a man but with the head of a wolf, the new creatures all lifted their heads skywards emitting a deafening howl.

  Finley awoke, his breathing was heavy and his brow dripping with sweat. This new nightmare had moved to another level. Whereas before everything seemed unreal, actually dreamlike, it all now appeared very real. After telling himself over and over that it was just a dream, he threw back the covers and walked over to his washstand. Although still dark, he managed to find his way, and after splashing his face with water to cool down, he dabbed it dry with one of the towels stacked beside the water bowl. After a few moments to reflect on what had happened Finley felt relaxed enough to return to his bed, hopefully having seen the last of his nightmare for one night at least.

  Chapter 8.

  Finley was awoken by a knocking at the door to his room. Without thinking, he threw back his covers, and stumbled his way to the door, stretching his limbs as he went. Stood in only his underclothes, he opened the door to see a young female elf holding a neatly folded bundle of clothing. “Good morning Sir. A gift from your mother,” the elf said softly, but with a grin on her face. Finley smiled back, and it took a few moments to realise just what the elf was smirking at. When the penny finally dropped, he quickly tried to cover his half naked body up with his hands, blushing profusely, “Oh sorry,” he said quickly accepting the gift and hurriedly closing the door behind him.

  He shook his head, the last thing he wanted was any more trouble, and he certainly did not want rumours spreading of him parading around naked. Pushing the slightly embarrassing moment aside, he inspected the new bundle of clothes he had been given, laying them out on the bed. A new pair of black trousers, a smart silky feeling white shirt, and dark blue tunic. He took a look at his pile of shabby looking clothes on the floor, before gazing back at the new items, as if judging which to put on. There was no competition really, and particularly since they were a gift from his mother, he opted for the new items. Although after dressing and looking in the mirror by the washstand, he decided it might be best if he did something with his hair.

  After removing the tunic and shirt again, he filled the bowl up and took a deep breath before dunking his head into the cool water. Using as much soap as he could muster on his hands, he got to work rubbing it into his hair. After a few minutes of rubbing and scrubbing, he dipped his head into the water again to wash off the soap, before grabbing another towel to dry it.

  Removing the towel, he looked around and spotted what he was looking for, sitting on top of the set of drawers across the room. Still dripping water as he went, he grabbed the fine looking comb and returned to the mirror where he set about running it through his tangled, knotted hair. After several snags, causing a few expletives he was sure would embarrass his mother if she ever heard him use them, he felt some modicum of success. Although he thought perhaps his hair could do with a cut, it did look tidy to some degree.

  Once he had replaced his shirt and tunic, he looked around the room, realising he may have made a bit of a mess, and thought he should probably attempt to tidy up a little. He then put on his rather shabby looking brown leather boots, thinking they now looked a little out of place with his new clothes. After shrugging, thinking that was something out of his control, he headed for the door and exited out into the corridor. He stood for a moment as he realised he h
ad no clue as to where he should be going, and so tried to recall which way he had entered the previous evening.

  After slowly strolling down the stairs, he was somewhat relieved to see a familiar face waiting for him down in the main hall. “Mother,” he said with a smile, finding it a little strange to be using the name. The elven woman stepped up towards him and placed a tender kiss on his forehead, “Good morning Finley. I trust your new clothes were suitable,” she said looking him up and down. “Oh yes, Thanks,” he replied.

  “Oh and you’ve washed your hair too,” she added running her fingers across his fringe and pushing it away from his eyes, “Although perhaps we could get you a haircut…and a new pair of boots,” she added looking down at his feet.

  Finley was not used to being pampered, although it certainly felt nice, and something he was sure he could get used to. After his mother had gestured for them to walk, she explained that after breakfast they would be travelling. Her home was not in the capital, but a few days ride to the west, and if it were okay with Finley she would like him to live there with her. In all honesty, Finley had not even considered the future and was just happy to go with the flow. However, before they left the capital, his mother asked if he minded meeting up with her parents. “Isn’t your father the one that wanted me terminated?” He asked just checking they were talking about the same person.