Night Eternal: Part IV

Ian stood in front of the statues of Asgorath and Naergath the watched over the great seal and dropped to his knees. "You gave your life keeping Daragath from destroying the rest of us. I do not know if you can hear my words Brothers but know that in the hearts of many your memory will live forever." He rose and walked over to the statue of Asgorath and placed his hand on the cold stone. He stopped as he suddenly felt a presence behind him. He spun around hand going instinctively to his sword and there he stopped too stunned to speak. Out of the shadows stepped a figure, "Giving up on me so soon my brother." Ian blinked thinking he was seeing things, "Cor....Corrie? I thought you had been destroyed.....gods it is good to see you!" Corwin walked over to Ian smiled, "I have been gone a long time Ian. While only one day has passed here I have seen 6 years come and go." Ian looked at him curiously, "I do not understand.....what happened?" Corwin sighed, "Come upstairs brother and I will tell you all that has transpired."

When they reached the hall Ian was surprised to see two others there. Random was standing silently by the fireplace and the other was looked familiar but he could not place him. Random nodded to Ian, "Good to see you again Ian." The other person spun around and smiled, "Hello Uncle Ian." Ian stopped, " Kylan? Is that you?" Kylan nodded and got up walking over to hug his uncle. Ian hugged him and looked over to Corwin, "Perhaps you had better tell me what happened because I am completely confused." Corwin walked over to a chair and sat waiting for the others to settle, "Well I knew that you might not be out of the way so I had to make a quick decision. I channeled my energy into forming a portal hoping to get Daragath into it before he released his blast. Naergath realized what I was doing and he used his magic to with mine to strengthen the portal. Before we could get him into it he let his blast loose. It did not have an expected effect it seemed to be absorbed by the portal and suddenly it exploded outward. We were pulled into it and when we came out on the other side we found ourselves in Asgor, the realm that we had come here from all those many thousands of years ago. It was once a land of magic and beauty but was only now beginning to find life again after Daragath had turned it into a vast wasteland leaving only a few of it's people scattered across the desolation. I looked around knowing Naergath had come through with me but did not see Daragath. I can only assume he was destroyed or lost in the passage. We both sat and rested then I heard someone calling me. I turned and saw Kylan walk over the hill behind us and as he ran over to us I knew if he had been caught in this that the others may have been too. Once he told me that what had happened we set out looking for Morgana. The groups of people in small villages was like looking at the first race of humans that walked the earth learning to band together. They had been forced back to a time before they could recall. It was like seeing them reborn and it gave me hope that all here was not death but a beginning of a new life." Corwin stopped a moment his face saddened, " Ian we searched for six years hoping to find some sign of her and the others.....they were gone. I never wanted to give up hope, but it was time I just accepted it. I said some words for them and we left. It was the hardest thing I have ever done Ian." Ian looked at his brother unsure what to say, "Corwin, I'm so sorry......what will you do now?" Corwin took a deep breath, "I will rebuild.......my home......and my life."

He walked Ian outside talking of the plans for the reconstrustion of Amber, "Ian, send word to Morninglord and Cian that I am well and have returned. Make sure he knows Kylan is well and that I do not hold him at fault for Kylan being caught in this. Let all of our friends and family know of those we lost. I will join you in Camelot soon but I must gather my people and ask of them to help me in rebuilding Amber. It will be as when I first found that open meadow. A new start to an old life and a continuation of the ideals that my land stood for. Ian nodded and hugged his brother, "He will pleased that you are well......he felt that in someway it was his fault cause his power did this." Corwin shook his head, "He is a true friend and a noble knight. He has no control over the fates any more then I. Tell him my words, please. Be well my brother." Ian mounted his horse, "Hurry back to us Corrie, you are sorely missed." With that he rode back to Camelot as the rising sun crested the valley walls sending it's warm light flowing in....

A new day was born.....