Whos there? Birger shouted through the cottage door. I warn you, Im ard. If youre here for my son
Birger! Its ! Its Alex! the General of Thaland cried. We co in peace!
Alex? the old firbolg asked. Why are you back so soon?
There were sounds of fumbling about inside the cottage, then the clack of a crutch quickly moving across the floor.
Alex and rzhin looked at each other.
The door was flung open, revealing Birger, wild-eyed and frowning. He looked around, turning pale when he saw the Saint. Wheres Bjorgrund? Is thatyoure the healer, rzhin! Has sothing happened to my son? The old giant turned to Alex. You just fetched him this morning! What could have happened to him so fast?
He's fine, Birger. Alex held up his hands, hoping to soothe the ancient firbolg. We're all fine. More than fine. We're here for sothing else.
Whatever are you here for, then? Birger asked.
We have sothing to tell you and since there's a lot to explain, it'd be better if you just ca with us, then we could just explain things to everybody at once, Alex said.
AlrightI was just cleaning up and itll be here when I get back, so let get my cloak.
When Alex, Birger, rzhin, Professor Jules, Baelin and Isolde appeared at the Heroes encampnt, they found things strangely quiet.
But in reality, all was fine in the small town running along a crossroads where the soldiers and Heroes were camped.
Their visit ca at a rare peaceful mont for the Heroes and the army. Most of the troops had gathered in the town square listening to a priests sermon. Uldars na was ntioned frequently, of course, but most of the sermon was focused on the Traveller and how she was aiding Thalands cause from the after-world.
The Heroes, Khalik, Claygon, Brutus, Theresa, Bjorgrund and Thundar, were deep in conversation at the edge of the congregation, and startled when Alex and the others unexpectedly appeared.
Gah! Drestra scread, causing the priest to stutter behind his make-shift podium. You scared half to death! she cried.
Oi, yous are back here real quick, Cedric said, looking at rzhin. Sothin go wrong at the Castle?
Alex? Theresa looked confused.
Father? Claygon took a step forward.
Fathernot you, Alex. Obviously. I an my father! What are you doing here, father? Bjorgrund said.
Id like to know the sa thing, myself, Birger said.
As would I, Professor Jules said archly. We were in the middle of a very delicate part of our experint when Mr. Roth ca rushing into the lab like a whirlwind. With no explanation, as usual.
Dont worry, well explain, Alex said. Theres been a developnt. A big one.
Cedric groaned. More bad news?
The opposite, rzhin assured him. Co, let us go a little apart so we might speak freely. There is much to share.
The group teleported a few miles away from the encampnt, taking refuge in a moss-covered cave partly hidden in a forest clearing. The ground was still soaked from the recent rain, but there were no signs of tracks anywhere: neither Ravener-spawn, nor mortal.
When everyone was settled, Alex and rzhin began talking. They told them of all that had happened on the Castle wall: how Alex had started teaching rzhin the grounding technique, how it had helped calm his soul, and how his Mark had suddenly transford.
Khalik was silent, deep in thought, while Najyah pecked at his shoulder.
I do not..whatbutthe Isolde stamred.
What the hells? was all Thundar said.
Claygon was also silent, as waves of complex emotionsconfusion, wonder, hope, and shockflowed through his and Alexs link. Theresas jaw opened and closed like a dying fish, her eyes were wide. Brutus whimpered, nuzzling his masters gloved hand.
Professor Jules seed dumbstruck.
Huh? Bjorgrund muttered, looking at his father.
The old firbolg shrugged, shaking his head. Don't look at , son.
His Mark did what? Drestra shouted, her voice echoing from the cave and through the forest.
Ymust be bloody jokin! Cedric added, his morphic weapon shimring in agitation on his arm. His eyes moved from Alex to rzhin. A hidden part o the Mark? Whatre we gonna hear next? That we can all turn inta flyin ponies?
Makes sense, Hart grunted. The Mark thing, not the ponies thing.
The two Heroes glared at him.
Really, mate? Cedric snapped. Yer not the least bit surprised at this? Just not?
I understand that under-reaction is what you do. But even to this? Drestras voice oozed indignation.
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Life happens, Hart said. Besides, I learned that our gods been trying to kill us for millennia with sothing he made. It's gonna take a lot to surprise after that.
Indeed. Baelin stroked his beard-braids, their clasps clinking against each other. It seems that this Uldar was incredibly fond of secrets and used his knowledge of people to manipulate them into following him. It would stand to reason that the Marks would have so sort of hidden punishnt or reward system to ensure that the Heroes complied and enacted his will: and in this case, his will was for the Heroes to gain knowledge from the General.
Exactly what I was thinking, Alex said. We really have to get the rest of his notes translated.
It could be quite useful if we had the rest of the knowledge contained in them, rzhin said quietly. He had been standing behind Alex.
Enough about notes! Cedric waved away the idea, almost contemptuously. Show us this Mark, rzhin!
Of course, the Saint readily obliged, raising the hem of his robe to display thestark whitehand of Uldar glowing on his belly.
Well, don' that look different now! Cedric eyed the symbol. It's got a wee polish, to it now don' it? The gold was alright, but this white Mark looks jus like Uldars symbol in his sanctum. Which uhgives a funny feelin.
to Drestras voice crackled. Do you think our Marks can change too?
I do, Alex said. There's no reason for Uldar to only build a reward into the Saints Mark. It makes the most sense to do it for all of them.
That fits, Drestra said. So, what can this newtransford Mark of yours do, rzhin?
For one thing, I feel much closer to Uldars divinity, rzhin said. And my soul has been reinforced. I feel stronger and believe I should be able to perform an interdiction.
Baelin, Professor Jules, Isolde and Alex looked at him sharply.
rzhin held up a handand it wasnt lost on Alex how much the gesture resembled Uldars holy symbol. I won't be trying to do what we talked about earlier, so don't worry. I do not think my soul is strong enough yet, to perform an interdiction that powerful. I will leave that to Hannahbut for now, this is good. I can be used as a spare, if we cannot get the ancient Saint back in ti.
Only as a backup, right? Alex pushed.
rzhin smiled wanly, nodding. Only for a backup.
Well, this is all interesting Birger said suddenly. But can anyone tell why I'm here? I'm glad you thought of , but I don't think I needed to be whisked from ho for this. Theres not too much I can contribute here.
There is, rzhin said,taking his holy book from his robes. I would like to try to do sothing that we talked about before, itll be a test for myself and a demonstration.
Oh? I still dont think I need to see your demonstrations. Birgers eyebrows rose. Im not so army strategist or war mage, or anything of the kind.
rzhin went to the firbolg, craning his neck to look up at him. Birger frowned down at him in return.
The Saints eyes went to Birgers leg.
The left one, the one that was no more than a stump.
He nodded, then t the old giants eyes. I would like to regenerate your leg.
Everyone stopped talking.
Birger began shouting. What? I heard you say you couldnt regrow limbs! I heard you with my own two ears! You said you didnt have a strong enough soul gate!
But, I do now, rzhin said. My soul gate is far stronger, and I have a more powerful connection to Uldars divinity. The amount of power I was able to channel before was like a whisper compared to what I can channel now. I feel it inside , its like a dam straining to burst. So, with your permission, I would like to regenerate your leg.
Birger looked at his son, Bjorgrunds eyes looked wild.
Everyone was curious, stunned in amazent, orin Alexs casein anticipation.
Well, I, Birger started. I hardly know what to say.
If youre alright with this, then well just get started on the miracle, rzhin said. Such a miracle takes weeks to regrow a limb. But I would like to start today; I can think of no worthier way to show my Marks evolution, while also putting it to the test. And I will do this miracle not in Uldars na, but in the na of Thaland and
He looked at Alex.
in the na of the Traveller, if you would lend her holy symbol.
It would be an honour, Alex said, taking the symbol from his neck and handing it to rzhin.
The Saint nodded. Thank you.
Ithis is happening so fast, Bjorgrund said, his enormous fra trembling and his chainmail clinking. It was a new chain shirt; he was not clad in Uldars divine armour nor wielding his mighty axe. Not in public yet. father, what do you think of this?
Birger frowned as all eyes fell on him.
He looked down at his left leg.
Ive been the way I am for a long tia very long ti, he said slowly. And I never dread Id be any different. Tears sprang up in his eyes as his voice wavered. But by my ancestors, Ill admit that Ive missed the feel and sound of snow crunching beneath my two feet. And if I get my leg back, maybe I could help you a lot more son.
Its up to you father, Bjorgrund nodded, smiling at him.
Birger looked down at rzhin. Alright, Ill do it. If you think its a worthy use of your power, Ill do it.
rzhin nodded. Then in the na of the Traveller, of Thaland and He swallowed. in the na of the deity that Uldar should have been, I will hereby perform this deed. Have a seat.
A-alright, Birger prepared to sit on the cavern floor.
Hold on, Alex said, and teleportingto the giants cottage, took Birgers chair from near the fireplace and within seconds, was back in the cave. You might as well be comfortable.
Alex placed the chair beside the old giant, who nodded in gratitude.
Thank you kindly, Alex, Birger eased himself into his chair and rzhin moved directly in front of him.
Father. Bjorgrund put a hand on his shoulder. Ill be right here.
I know, thank you, son. Birger patted his sons hand and leaned forward to undo the ligature tied around his stump. Hed used a length of cord to bind his left trouser leg, andonce the binding was undonehiked it up, revealing what remained of his lower leg.
The stump was a mass of scars, all healed through a good deal of ti, and much pain. This was no stump left by a surgeons skillful amputation.
Baelin looked at rzhin with his goat-like eyes, watching him silently. Assessing.
The Heroes also watched the Saint with anticipation.
Everyone else was watching Birger.
For a mont, all was quiet like a tomb.
Then rzhin raised his head.
And at the crossroads did Uldar co across a farr, who sat by the side of the road with a tin cup before him, rzhin intoned, his voice rising through the cavern. And that farr did look unto Uldarwho was in the guise of an old vagabondand he did ask him: What path do you walk, traveller?
Light began gathering around the Saints hands.
And Uldar looked upon the man: I walk to Soddenbury, to attend the festival, he said. And the man shook his head. Then you are going by the wrong road, the farr replied. Take the woodcutters path to the east. Walk it and you shall reach Soddenbury in half the ti.
His voice grew louder. An older, deeper voice seed to join his, echoing the sa words.
To this, Uldar smiled and said I thank you for your guidance. What path do you walk? To this, the farr shook his head sadly. I have not walked in moons, for my legs were taken by disease. And so I sit here begging for alms at this crossroad, for I can till no more.
rzhin extended his hand, resting it on Birgers leg.
To this, Uldar told him: Rise, for your kindness has restored your legs. And the man did! For Uldars rcy rzhin stopped recounting the scripture. I deny this! he cried. Uldars rcy cos with a terrible price! Uldar told the man to rise, and so now I tell you to rise, Birger of Kymiland! In the na of the Traveller! In the na of Thaland! In the na of kindness, and sacrifice and all that is good in the world!
Beams of light flashed from his hand.
I hereby make you whole!
A shaft of light stread through the cavern.
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