Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

The sacred sword (II)

Murmurs and surprise spread across the plain. Not everyone could see it clearly, but the black hair was an unmistakable trait.

Those who were closest could see the golden eyes, and quite a few had seen statues or portraits. Soon, Eldi Hnefa's name swept through the place like a tsunami.

There was adoration in all of their eyes. He was their hero, the one their parents read their adventures about before bed. A few, very old, cried to be able to see him one more time.

There were also those who were worried and even scared. There were some agents of kings and nobles, but none of sufficient level to try to attack him. Nobody had expected something like this to happen, nobody had foreseen it, except for the rebels. They were prepared in case there was an unforeseen event.

If the rebels had acted on their own, they would have turned the people against them. That place was too sacred.

However, it was different if Eldi Hnefa himself was the one who appeared. After all, he was the reason it was a sacred place.

He raised his hand, even though he didn't really need to. The sword vibrated strongly, threatening to come out.

"No! No! No! It's mine!" the patriarch exclaimed, as he tried to grab it.

Again, he fell humiliatingly to the ground, unable to stop the flight of the sword. It landed naturally in Eldi Hnefa's outstretched hand.

Return was one of the skills he had engraved into it, and one that he rarely added to a creation. He had never managed to add it without weakening the structure of the weapon. In fact, that sword was practically useless in combat.

"I left this sword in your care along with a promise. That of watching over the kingdom. That of watching over the people. For their physical and spiritual well-being. So that they could live a dignified life, without being oppressed. Not only have you ignored your word, but you have taken advantage of your position to do yourself what you had to fight. What do you have to say in your defense?"

Eldi's words sounded threatening and solemn, as well as true. Everyone knew that that church had abused its power, demanding donations, or showing off the wealth collected. However, no one had dared to oppose it openly. They were the representatives of the gods. They were also the guardians of his legacy, that sword included.

If anyone else had uttered those words, even a high-ranking priest, they wouldn't have had much effect. Even, they would have been accused of being traitors. However, who was Eldi Hnefa? In addition to being a hero to many, he was also considered a prophet, an envoy of the gods. He himself had left them that sword, one of those legacies that they had to protect.

As if that weren't enough, the sword that had to shine, to provide a spectacle of light and color, hadn't done so. At least, not until it had reached the hands of the prophet, and he had formulated the accusation.

In the eyes of the faithful, that light was a miracle, a divine message. The patriarch, a sinner who had to be punished. Everyone was kneeling before the prophet, except for the patriarch, who still lay on the ground, helpless, defeated.

"Get up," Eldi ordered calmly, as he took a step towards the place where the sword had been. "Velkia, redirecting the course of the church is not an easy task. Are you willing to take it on?"

"It will be my honor. I will dedicate my life to it," she assured, and kneeled down.

He touched her head with the blade of the sword, and simultaneously activated a second set of lights and colors. It enveloped the two of them, as if they had been blessed by a divine light.

"So be it, matriarch Velkia"

Eldi stabbed the sword into its place again, and turned around, as the new matriarch rose and gave him a deep bow. At the same time, cheers spread throughout the audience.

"Long live Matriarch Velkia!"

"Long live the prophet!"

"Eldi Hnefa is back!"

Although the screams fell silent when the matriarch raised her hands.

"Listen to me, spread the word. All priests are required to return to their temples, and await the judgment of the gods there. Those who broke their word must pay their debt. Those who had to leave are welcomed back," she issued her first edict.

She didn't say it explicitly, but knew that the believers would see to it that it was fulfilled. The matriarch didn't doubt that some priests would try to flee with their wealth, but they wouldn't have it easy. She was sure that the temples would be surrounded by worshipers. Furthermore, the rebels were watching.

Velkía watched him leave with deep gratitude and loyalty. Eldi himself had privately confessed to her the true nature of the sword, which had only increased her respect for him. He could have kept the secret, thus increasing the mystery in his figure, giving him more power. However, he hadn't.

"He's a strange person. He has the power in his hand, and he doesn't take it. Eldi Hnefa is trustworthy, worthy of his legend," she told herself, not without admiration.

She turned around and walked down the hill, where she was greeted with smiles, congratulations and honors from her collaborators, all those who had returned with her. Some hadn't returned yet, and others never could. That saddened her, but she couldn't afford to spend time mourning. There was a lot of work to do.

"It has been horrible," Eldi complained when they returned.

"Well, I think you did great," Lidia hugged him. "What do you think?"

"It was incredible!" the elf praised excitedly.

"I almost believed it, although I knew the truth," Ted admired.

"Ha, ha. Admit you were great," Liodon patted him on the back.

"It bothers me to deceive people," he sighed.

"There was no other way. To reform the church, to give power to those who can lead it on the right path, we must act like this," her daughter reminded him.

"I know, I know. But it leaves a bitter taste," he complained.

"Mom will be delighted that you think that way," thought Liodon, without saying it out loud.

Without a doubt, he was right. A certain dryad had observed all the events in detail. She smiled with pride, and a certain sadness at not being with him. She looked with nostalgia at the image that was reflected in the water, the work of Bolbe. The ripples distorted it for a few moments when she tried to touch him with her fingers.

The dryad and the water nymph were great friends, and had spent a lot of time together in the past. Only a certain matter had separated them a little, despite themselves. Nonetheless, they still loved each other like sisters.