The Awakening Read Free Page A

as to why the great trees were departing the earth. Each and every time he entered the dead shell of a once mighty Lalas, he prayed that he would find the clues that he needed. But lamentably, each time he found nothing more than the departing spirit and an admonition to continue to search.
    He made his way carefully down the twisted path toward what was once the heart of this sentient being. He stepped lightly upon something hard, and summoning the orb of light to hover above the spot, he bent down and discerned Theran’s sword lying on the dry earth. It was unmarred, as no physical battle took this gallant warrior’s life. Next to it, he could see the remains of the Chosen himself, propped up against what must have been a large root of Acire’s.
    “May the First bless you and keep you, my brave son,” he said, head bent.
    He lifted the blade and placed it upright with the hilt leaning upon the dead man’s shoulder. Premoran carefully pushed the blade deep into the ground so that it would remain there next to its companion. He gazed momentarily upon the sad expression marring the warrior’s handsome face and a rush of regret and melancholy overcame him. Closing his eyes for just a second, he focused his thoughts on the task at hand, and then he moved on, having bid farewell to his old friend Theran forever.
    Premoran descended further into the nearly empty cavern that had formerly been replete with Acire’s substance. With each step, the humming sound grew louder and more distinct and the wizard knew thereby that he neared his destination. He continued to trespass through the lifeless remnants of the tree until he came upon what he sought. With as much respect as he could muster, he reverently bent over and parted the soft soil with his hand, digging just under the surface. He felt the emptiness and cool air of the cavern waft over him as he exposed the opening. Extending his fingers carefully into the hollow, he retrieved the shard and placed it in the pouch at his belt. To his great surprise, the humming continued and did not terminate with the removal of the artifact.
    “Is there a part of you still here, Acire? You were a good friend. Can you not be one still and provide me with the information I need?” he spoke aloud, astonished that the essence of the tree did not cease this time with the removal of the shard.
    No response was forthcoming, though he honestly did not know what to expect. He had always hoped beyond hope that one of the trees would communicate with him and enlighten him as to the reason for its departure. Each and every time, he withdrew unsatisfied. This time would be no different than the others, he surmised stoically.
    “Return to the earth and may your spirit find its way back to the First,” Premoran said somberly.
    But, the droning continued still.
    The Wizard was puzzled by this turn of events. He had retrieved the shards from nine Lalas over the course of the last two tiels and never once did the spirit of the tree survive the removal.
    “Is there something you wish to tell me, dear Acire?” he inquired once again.
    What at first appeared to be a leaf, fluttered lazily to the ground. He reached for it hastily and drew the light close in order to examine the token. He had hoped and prayed for some sign, some indication of why these tragic events were occurring, but he did not really expect anything more this time than on any of the other occasions. Strangely though, he sensed a different level of energy here. Perhaps he would be blessed with a clue with which he could work.
    Greedily, he perused the fallen object which upon closer inspection was not a leaf at all, but a piece of parchment shaven from the tree itself. It was covered in ancient runes. Summoning the light hovering nearby to flare brighter, he scanned the paper keenly. He read the ancient script to himself as naturally as he would any other language. When he reached the second line of words, the parchment began to