Closing his eyes once more Ekodas sought the freedom of flight. As usual this proved difficult, but at last he soared free of his body and floated alongside the moth, gazing down on his sleeping comrades. The moon was shining in a cloudless sky as he flew from the temple, and the countryside was bathed in spectral light.
‘Are you restless, brother?’ asked Magnic, appearing alongside him.
‘Yes,’ he answered.
‘As am I. But it is silent here, and we are free of the flesh.’ It was true and Ekodas acknowledged it. The world was a different place when viewed through spirit eyes, tranquil and beautiful, eternal and almost sentient. ‘You spoke well, Ekodas. You surprised me.’
‘I surprised myself,’ he admitted. ‘Though, as I am sure you are aware, I am not totally convinced – even by my own arguments.’
‘I think none of us are truly sure,’ said Magnic softly, ‘but there must be balance. Without it harmony cannot be found. I fear the Brotherhood, and I loathe and despise all they stand for. You know why?’
Tell me.’
‘Because I long for such pleasures myself. Deep in me I can see the attraction of evil, Ekodas. We are stronger than normal men. Our Talents could earn us fame, riches and all the pleasures known to man. And in my quiet moments I know that I lust for these things.’
‘You are not responsible for your desires,’ said Ekodas. ‘They are primal, a part of being human. Only if we act upon them do we sin.’
‘I know that, but it is why I could not take up the staff. I could never be a priest of love, never. At some time in the
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future I would succumb to my desires. This is why the Thirty is for me. I have no future, save with the Source. You are different, my friend. You are strong. Like Dardalion once was.’
‘You thought me a coward,’ pointed out Ekodas.
Magnic smiled. ‘Yes, but I was seeing only my own lack’ of courage. Transferring it to you.’ He sighed. ‘Now that our way is set I see everything differently. And now I must continue my watch.’ Magnic vanished and Ekodas floated alone in the night sky. The temple below was grey and forbidding, its turrets rearing against the sky like upraised fists.
‘It is still a fortress,’ Shia had said. And so it was. Just like us, Ekodas realised. Prayer within, might without. There was comfort in the thought, for a fortress, no matter how many spears, swords and arrows were contained within it, could never be an offensive weapon.
He soared higher and to the north, through thin, misty clouds that were forming above the mountains. Below him now the mighty fortress of Dros Delnoch spanned the pass.
He floated down. On the last wall he saw a tall, dark-haired woman, sitting beside a handsome golden-haired man. The man reached out to take the woman’s hand, but she drew back, turning her head to gaze up at Ekodas.
‘Who are you?’ she asked him, her spirit voice loud as thunder within him. Ekodas was astonished and suddenly disconcerted. Swiftly he flew high and away from the fortress. Such power! His mind reeled.
Just then a terrible scream filled his ears. Brief, agonising, and then terminated. He sped for the temple.
A man appeared alongside him, a blade of fire in his hand. Ekodas twisted in the air, the sword hissing by him. He reacted without conscious thought, the long years of his training and Dardalion’s endlessly patient tuition, coming together in an instant to save his life. ‘In spirit form,’ Dardalion had told them, ‘we are naked and unarmed. But I will teach you to craft armour from faith, swords from courage and shields made from belief. Then
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you will stand against the demons of the dark, and the men who aspire to be like them.’
Ekodas armoured himself with a shining breastplate of silver, a glimmering shield appearing on his left forearm. He parried the next blow with his own sword of silver light.
His opponent was protected by black armour and a full-faced helm. Ekodas blocked a thrust then sent his own blade cleaving into the man’s neck. The sword of light flashed through the dark armour like sunlight piercing a storm cloud. There was no blood. No scream of pain. His assailant merely disappeared without a sound. But Ekodas knew that wherever the man’s body lay the heart had stopped beating, and only a silent, unmarked corpse would lie witness to the battle beneath the stars.