The Scrolls of the Ancients

CHAPTER

Forty-eight

S erena was worried. Wulfgar had changed.

Not so much that she did not continue to love him, and not in any way that made her fear for her safety. If anything, he seemed to love her even more. But he was more commanding, more sure of himself, more discerning in his thoughts and actions than she had ever seen.

Plus, he seemed to have an even greater desire to be free of the confines of his quarters. He would often stand and stare at the restless sea for hours, saying nothing. And then, without a second's warning, he would begin pacing the rooms like a caged, predatory animal, eager to be released on an unsuspecting world. More than once she had asked him what was preoccupying him so, but somehow he never answered her, distracting her instead with a kiss or by bringing up a different subject.

Since she had come to Wulfgar's quarters to live, he had been taken away by the demonslavers twice, and it was only since then that she had begun to notice the changes in him. She was sure his visits outside of these rooms were the cause of his strange metamorphosis, but she was at a loss as to why and how.

As he continued to pace back and forth before the azure window that Krassus had created, Serena realized that it was as if Wulfgar had been suddenly, involuntarily thrust into something far larger than himself and was being inexorably carried away upon the swelling rise of its tide.

"What is it, my love?" she asked gently. "What troubles you so?"

He stopped for a moment and turned to her, a short smile on his lips. Reaching down, he gently stroked one of her cheeks with the back of his hand. She took his hand into her own and pressed it closer, never wanting to let it go. Lifting her face, she looked into his eyes.

Wulfgar's eyes had always been beautiful. Hazel, compassionate, and strong, they had been one of the first things that had attracted her to him. But since his two mysterious visits to the outside they seemed literally to shine, as if they had been shot full of energy that was waiting to be released. They were mesmerizing, and she quickly found herself lost within their polished depths.

"There is nothing wrong, my darling," he answered softly. "Everything is finally starting to become as it should be. As it was foretold it would be. Only during my last few sessions with Krassus have I finally come to understand. There is much to tell."

"What do you mean?" she asked, still pressing his hand to her cheek.

Sitting down beside her, he looked lovingly into her eyes. "You are to become my queen," he said simply.

His words passed though her heart like a sudden storm. Stunned, she searched his face. "But you are not a king," she answered gently, not wanting to hurt him. She was surely honored by his words, and wanted to be with him forever. But a queen…

"I don't understand," she said, finally letting go of his hand. As she did, she found that her own hands were now trembling.

"I know," he answered. "At first neither did I. But Krassus has begun to show me the way. I no longer fear him, or his demonslavers. In fact, I now embrace them. Just as you soon will."

Realizing that she was curious, he turned his right wrist over and narrowed his eyes. As he did, a small puncture formed in his skin. Stunned and frightened, Serena instinctively pulled back. But Wulfgar only smiled, tacitly telling her that it was going to be all right.

He then turned his wrist over again, and a single drop of his blood fell to the silk bedsheets. As she watched, Serena's eyes went wide.

The blood twisted its way into a small pattern with curved lines on the top, and straight, angular lines on the bottom. It also had many smaller lines leading away from it, like branches shooting off from the trunk of a tree. It seemed to stir something within her-something long hidden, and immensely powerful. She looked back up at him, a thousand unanswered questions on her face. Wulfgar pointed down at the bloody signature.

"Within that pattern lies the source of all that there is, and all that shall ever be," he said quietly. "Endowed blood."

Looking at the brand on her shoulder, he rubbed his fingers across it. "R'talis blood," he added softly. "The blood you carry, as well." He then allowed silence to speak for a time, as he sensed her trying to absorb the gravity of his words.

"But how is it that you see yourself a king?" she finally asked.

Smiling, he took one of her dark ringlets into his hand and stroked it gently. "Each time I leave this place, I come one step closer to claiming my throne," he answered cryptically. "Just as you shall soon do, for such a seat awaits you, also. All you have to do is reach out and take it, as I am doing." Lost in his thoughts for a moment, he looked away. "I have seen such wonders, Serena…"

Suddenly a knock came on the door. It was almost hesitant, as if the person on the other side did not wish to disturb them, but must. Smiling, Wulfgar turned.

"Enter," he commanded. Serena heard the bolt slide away. The huge double doors opened, and a single demonslaver entered the room. Remarkably, he was unarmed. Then the slaver did something she would never forget.

Looking at Wulfgar, the monster bowed.

"Yes?" Wulfgar asked.

"Please forgive the intrusion, but it is once again time," the slaver said simply. "He asks for you." His tone was surprisingly kind. Perhaps even subservient, Serena realized. Wulfgar nodded at the slaver, then looked back at her.

"I will return, and then we can talk more," he said. "I apologizefor locking the bolt, my love, but it is for your own good. Soon you, too, will have no need for the chambers to be secured. Just be patient."

Saying nothing more, Wulfgar left with the slaver. They closed and bolted the double doors behind them. Serena stared at the door for some time, still overcome by her lover's words.

Finally getting up and walking to the window, she realized that she had already begun to miss him. The three moons cast their magenta shimmerings upon the waters of the ocean, highlighting the tips of the ever-restless waves. Even though the transparent, azure wall separated her from the outside world, for a moment she thought she could almost smell the familiar saltiness of the sea breeze.

She tried to sort through the mysterious things Wulfgar had told her, but no answers came. As she gazed into the distance the silent waves beckoned, but provided no clues. She shook her head.

A queen, her mind repeated to her over and over again. But a queen destined to rule over whom?

As the sea crashed against the shore below, she stood there for a long time, just as Wulfgar had done, her mind lost in the maze of complexities that had been laid before her.

L ying on his back on one of the white marble tables of the Scriptorium, Wulfgar looked calmly up into Krassus' dark eyes. He was not tied down this time, for there was no longer any need for such crude measures. The Scroll of the Vagaries hovered close by, glowing with the power of the craft. Krassus smiled.

"Are you ready?" he asked simply.

"Yes," came the willing, eager answer.

"You're beginning to love the way you feel, are you not?"

"Yes."

"Tell me, then," Krassus asked. "What is it that you want?"

"I want more."

Smiling, the wizard resumed his work.