Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls by Chris Ward Page B

lying, dying; a frightened young man who held his hand but lost him and of parents who were cut down by sword and spears. He saw himself sitting in the dirt as a small child and then being grabbed by a large mountain of a man, and then a ship, thin and fast and rough seas, the smell of salt and drums and chanting and being sick and so very scared.
    Rema sat up in a sweat, crying like a child. Like Remy Cantira cried when he lost his parents and was taken by the invaders. Rema remembered, and from that moment on it changed everything.
     
    In the morning Mentor served Rema a hearty breakfast but made no comment or inquiry about anything that had been spoken of the previous day. He showed genuine concern though when Rema mentioned the strange creature he had seen the in the valley clearing during the night. He asked several questions and walked back and forth with a deeply furrowed brow.
    ‘Not good, not good at all,’ he muttered, ‘things have progressed more quickly than I have realised. No, Rema I cannot tell you what it is, for you have nothing to compare it with. All I can say is that it makes those three Wolvers you killed seem almost friendly. I need to look into this; this is not a good development.’
    ‘What am I supposed to do if it comes upon me?’ Rema asked now greatly disturbed. A creature more deadly than a Wolver !
    ‘There is no advice I can give you. Stay out of its path at all costs.’
    ‘That’s all?’ said Rema astounded.
    ‘I’m sorry Rema, that is all. Now I have a surprise for you,’ Mentor left the room and returned a moment later with his bow and quiver of arrows. ‘This should save a trip back to that sad little town of Efilon.’  Rema thanked him sincerely. He had feared he would never see his weapon again and would have to start all over. He noticed that the quiver was now full of arrows all identical to the ones he had used to kill the Wolvers, but he was not greatly surprised considering the events of the past few days.
    ‘Now,’ said Mentor, ‘the journey must begin, there is much to do, come.’ Rema picked up his few things including a small leather bag which contained some food and drink which Mentor had provided. They went outside together and stood in the bright morning sunshine watching the mist lift off the forest below, a forest which was alive with birds and small creatures scurrying about completely unconcerned.
    So different from last night thought Rema.
    Taking a deep breath he turned to Mentor and spoke boldly. ‘Are you a wizard, I really would like to know something about you?’
     
    Mentor frowned as though wondering just how to reply. Finally he stood before Rema and placed strong hands on either shoulder and looked deeply into the young man’s face.
    ‘Rema the time of magic and sorcery is almost at an end in this land. This will be a good thing for it does not sit well with human understanding and actions. Remember that. But no, I am no wizard, I am beyond all wizards. And that is enough for now. Remember all I have told you, think upon those things.  I am sure you will do what you must.’ Rema had an uneasy feeling then but Mentor distracted him by offering a gift.
    ‘Take this cloak, it is white to remind you of humility, and it has some properties which you will discover in time that will be of some assistance. Wear it confidently; there is no harmful pride in that.’
    Rema saw that it was a most beautiful garment and put it on immediately. It flowed and surrounded him without inhibiting his movements; it even had a hood which fitted him perfectly. It seemed warm and strangely protective and he turned to thank Mentor and was stunned. He had vanished. He was standing alone on the grassy hillside. There was no door or window to a home in the earth, not a single indication that it had ever existed. No evidence that Mentor had ever been; except for the cloak it might all have been a dream.
    The birds sang and the sun shone, but he was alone.
    ‘Thank