Part 35 (1/2)
”Lord Avram, I, private Maxwell Laskaris, charge you with having failed in your duty to protect all peoples, lacarna and human as per the Protector's code. In addition, you ordered the murder of one of our own, Peter Laskaris, my father.”
Lysander relaxed his knife a little. ”And I, Sergeant Lysander Harris, charge you with betraying your brethren, the Immortals, the murder of hundreds of lacarnians and the destruction of their home centuries ago.
The Sergeant leading the Protectors up the path commanded them to stop.
”Lord Avram, does this boy speak the truth?”
”Of course not you fool, they're mad. Forget about my life, stop them.”
Alexandra rushed towards Lord Avram. ”Melody!”
Melody let go of Max, who fell to the ground. Running to Ca.s.sia she formed her barrier before the guards could reach her.
Alexandra yelled at Lysander. ”Get clear.”
Holding the Lifestone in one hand, she grabbed Lord Avram's shoulder with the other. He squirmed beneath her grip.
”Untie me!”
The light in the stone intensified until it engulfed them in a bright, blue light. At Alexandra's feet, gra.s.s sprouted, spreading in an outward arc that flowed down into the dead lands like a ripple in a pond.
Lord Avram screamed in pain. Around Alexandra, flowers rose from the gra.s.s. As they did so, Lord Avram's skin began to shrivel and tighten around his bones. His hair first grayed then fell from his scalp.
Down in the valley, saplings sprouted from the ground. The Protectors who had gathered there milled about in wonder at the growth. They forgot about Lord Avram, whose body slowly dissolved on the plateau above, one layer at a time. His skin went quickly, then his muscles and finally his bones. Below, the saplings grew into small trees sending the Protectors running in different directions as they tried to avoid them.
Above, Alexandra fell to her knees as the Lifestone now fed on her. She began to shrivel like Lord Avram. A wide variety of plants, the likes that Max had never seen, sprang up from the ground in the valley. Then the growth slowed. Max s.h.i.+vered as a mournful wail arose from Alexandra.
”Nooo. It's not finished.”
Lysander rushed towards Alexandra. ”That thing is going to kill her.”
Anemone bounded from behind Melody, reaching Alexandra before Lysander. Placing her head against the stone her body disintegrated as a new wave of plants burst forth below before stopping once again.
Lysander stood frozen in his tracks, but Callie started towards Alexandra. Melody screamed at her.
”That won't be enough! The stone is far too powerful for us.”
Lysander shook himself free. ”She won't stop until the forest is complete or that stone kills her.”
”Then stay away from the stone. Touch her instead. I think she can act as a valve, keeping it from completely destroying us.”
”Are you sure?”
Melody dropped the barrier, no longer concerned about the guards who stood in fascination at the growing forest. She ran to Alexandra, grabbing her hand. Alexandra's body stopped deteriorating as the color slowly drained from Melody. Below, the plants and trees grew once more.
After half a minute had pa.s.sed, Melody went limp, letting go of Alexandra. Lysander ran forward, yanking her away. Melody struggled to stay conscious.
”She's so strong. If we can supply her, she can finish it.”
Lysander turned to the others. ”Help her!”
Without hesitation, Callie, Effie and Eve formed a line, each following Melody's example. As Alexandra drained them, Lysander pulled them free. Below, the forest grew thick and tall. The tops of the trees reached above the cliffs on either side.
Then, to their amazement, a few of the Protector's silently came forward, lending their bodies to Alexandra. However, as fewer volunteers came forward, Lysander tried to wake Alexandra from the trance she had fallen in.
”Alexandra, you've done enough.”
She did not respond.
”Alex, I'm the last. You will need me to heal yourself. Let go of the stone.”
Alexandra drew a small breath. ”I can finish it.”
”Not without dying.”
Alexandra managed the weakest of shrugs. ”I should have died a long time ago.”
Lysander's hands clenched. ”But you didn't, and you're sure not going to now!”
Lysander grabbed the stone, yanking it from Alexandra's hand. He jerked in pain as he instantly turned pale. With a guttural yell, he slammed the stone into the ground, shattering it into thousands of glistening shards.
Lysander sat hard on the ground, catching Alexandra as she slumped over. ”Take what you need.”
Alexandra touched the side of his face just long enough for her body to return to normal. Lysander, with what little strength he had left, wrapped Alexandra in his arms. Max, along with the others, dragged themselves to his side where they sat in wonder at the forest in front of them.
Several minutes pa.s.sed before Eve turned to Melody. ”Melody, did you find Spook?”
Melody reached into a pocket inside her robe and pulled out the little mouse. ”I found her near a rock. She must have hit it when Lord Avram flung her.”
Eve cupped her hands so Melody could lay Spook in them. The mouse no longer breathed. Max took Eve in his arms as she sobbed. Feeling a tear roll down his own cheek, he realized how much he had grown attached to their little friend.
Footsteps came from behind, then Max heard the sergeant speak.
”What you accused Lord Avram of earlier, is it true?”
”Yes, though it is a long story.”
”One you must tell, for you have a.s.sisted in the death of our leader.”
”It was necessary to right a wrong committed long ago. His death has set the lacarna and the Protectors free.”
”And that is the only reason your story will wait. We are returning to Moenia immediately. We do not know what havoc the lacarna are causing.”
Alexandra's eyes fluttered open. ”I have put people in place to keep peace. They are being led into the forest as we speak. One of your own, Mr. Penna, is a.s.sisting as well. In fact, your absence will give things a chance to sort out on their own.”
Max scooted around to face the sergeant. ”My father, Lt. Laskaris, knew the lacarna were not the beasts Lord Avram made them out to be. It was he who set this plan into motion years ago. We merely completed the task that he could not. We believed the same as he, that the Protectors purpose is to watch over everyone, human and lacarna alike.”