Back at the Throne Room the next morning, BlackHeart and Icy Death spoke about the events of the previous days. They were worried about what would happen in the future. While they were not, in any way, gifted with foresight, they were troubled. Something told them that the future would be dramatically different from what they expected.
They were smug in the knowledge that only the winds knew their secret weakness, and yet could an ill-wind blow their way?
"I wonder what Threye has in his mind,' commented Icy Death. "I have never trusted him, and I never will"
"Neither will I", said BlackHeart, "but staying here would be pointless. Events have been set in motion, and the world will never be the same. We cannot afford to sit quietly. We need to participate in the shaping of the world, else the world will shape us..."
"Yes, I agree, " commented IcyDeath. "Yet, the question that burns in my brain is this one: did we make the right decision? Did we choose the correct side?"
"Time will tell", replied BlackHeart. "But, though we have taken a decision, and this decision is final, my heart is heavy. I know not where the future will take us. My vision is blurred, and the future looks dark indeed...."
"Yes, and I have ice indeed, in my heart..."
The discussion wore on for the better part of the morning, leaving the royal couple feeling glum. The mood was despondent in the Throne Room, and finally they sat there in silence, not talking to each other. Their eyes were fixed on the floor, each lost in their own thoughts. Their minds were far apart from each other, each looking into the future in their own disctinct way.
Suddenly, BlackHeart stood up, and said abruptly, "Sitting here, wondering what is going to happen, is not going to help us. Let's start putting our forces together. We need to take charge of our own destiny, and see where it leads us".
IcyDeath looked up at him, and then stood up. Hand in hand, the two of them walked out of the Throne Room, into the sunny day outside.
Preparations for their departure had begun.
Back in Mrod, Azazel and Erisa were locked together in a passionate embrace in their home. They had just finished making love, and were lying in bed, passionately clinging to each other. The future had weighed heavily on their heads, but somehow, as the days passed, their moods seemed to lighten. The future was going to be bright, but it was going to be far more different from what they had experienced in the past. However, whatever the future was to bring, it would ensure that the two of them would be together for a long time, and that they would play a much more prominent rolw in shaping events than thay had done in the past.
The day was calm, the day was bright, and the two of them did not leave their home. They would be apart soon enough, and they wanted to savour every last moment that they had together.
The next morning, they went to see Threye. As they entered his room, their eyes were bright, their backs straight, and their gaits light.
Threye looked at the two of them, smiled and spoke.
"It is now time for the two of you to be apart for the next few months. I hope that your time of separation will be short, but that depends on how events shape over the next weeks and months. I do not think that The Little Birds have any special powers, or any special gifts. Yet, they seem to go from strength to strength. They seem to gather allies along the way, and they need to be crushed before they get to the CyfarrWynds. The two of you now need to depart on your appointed tasks."
He paused, then went on.
"You, Erisa, will take a ship and travel to the Valley of the Kings. There, you will meet the King. His name is Regus. He owes much to my old friend from Lavonia, Mama Kuko. Mama Kuko belongs to the ancient sect of healers, and they are by and large incorruptible. Mama Kuko is strong. She is powerful, despite her frail appearance. Yet she, once, was corrupted, and captured. And, she was rescued by the Little Birds. She owes much to them. I believe that she can be corrupted once again. Erisa, once you reach The Valley, I want you to bring Regus over to our side. Then, I want you to apply your wiles to bring Mama Kuko over to our side. Only you can do this........ only you"
"Azazel, like I have told you before, you need to re-enter the Dungeon of Thron. You will pass through dangers, the like of which you cannot imagine. If you think that the last time was difficult, then all I can say, is that that will seem like a walk on the beach. You need to get to Thron. No one but I have met Thron before. If you do indeed meet Thron, you must importune him to unleash the Powers of Chaos, and to entrust them within you. You will become The Lord of Chaos. If you are successful, you will be my key ally in The Final Battle."
There was silence, and then Threye went on. "Remember, Azazel, if you are not successful, you will die, and Erisa will become a widow...."
"I shall not fail, Lord Threye", said Azazel. "I am prepared for this task, and I will succeed."
Turning to Erisa, he said "Fare ye well, my love. We shall meet again."
Erisa looked deep into his eyes, and said. "Yes, we shall meet on the eve of The Final Battle. We shall fight together, and we shall live long together."
Turning to Threye, they said, in unison, "We are ready"
The dies were being cast...
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