[SleepingDragon]: 268.The Staff of Illidon.Chater Thirteen- Ascension

Chapter Thirteen- Ascension

The matter of putting the final seal of magic upon the staff seemed like a cruel formality to William. He performed the simple task while Mari looked silently on. With the five pieces of staff placed in the stone’s groove, and the four stones, clear, red, blue and green in their respective insets, he watched the staff come alight with a brilliant glow. It then faded slowly away, much like the life force that had been Chad Melrow. He removed it without a word.

Chad’s funeral pyre had been built in the courtyard with broken furniture from the lower right wing. Mari had clung to him, silently weeping while Chad’s empty shell returned to the ash of the earth. She had spoken little since then.

They traversed the courtyard and confronted the pile of rock that had sealed them in. Mari watched wordlessly as William used the now whole staff to effortlessly shift the stones away from the tunnel opening. With a look back to the darkness, they mounted the stone stairway and made their way to the winding tunnel that led out of the mountain. In moments, they emerged into a day that was unsurprisingly overcast and rainy, a living illustration of the bleakness in their hearts. They descended the rock-strewn trail into the village, and William took Mari to his own home and served her a meal.

“You have returned with the staff.” Mari said after a time. “What will you do with it?”

“I am unsure.” He said honestly. “I must speak to the elder wizards of Halidon. Perhaps I will wield it in the war.”

“Good.” She said. “It should stay with you. You earned it. And you will not forget its price.”

“What will you do now?” He asked her.

“I don’t know.” She said hollowly. “I could return to my homeland. It has been long.”

“You may stay here as long as you wish.”