Garinor decided that the prince’s misdeeds demanded justice. He regretted that Tomli’s reign would start with such a sacrifice, but at least it would be out of Tomli’s hands. He could then rule with a clean conscience.
“I choose to sacrifice the prince. Let Tomli rule.”
“So it is Chosen,” spoke the Voice for the last time.
A strange burning sensation filled Garinor and he tried to pull away from the scepter. The rubies dimmed and faded to black and across the way, Garinor saw the prince’s body melt like candle wax, leaving behind only a white skeleton. The scepter released Garinor then and he fell to the ground, watching as an eerie white glow emanated from the top of the dome, reaching to the ceiling, and passing through into the early evening. The light expanded outward as well and Garinor had the sense that all the land felt the same sensation that swept over him; the knowledge that the prince was dead and Tomli was the king.
He looked at the scepter as the light faded away, and then it shattered to countless pieces, falling to the floor as dust. The light cascading around him and Tomli vanished with it.
The two torches became the only source of light in the room and the two men holding them bowed their heads toward their new liege. Garinor hurried over to Tomli’s side and helped him to his feet.
“Garinor,” Tomli breathed. “You… did it.” There was an odd look in his eye. “I can’t believe his soul was taken into the scepter like that. I felt it brush against me. I will never forget that feeling.”
“I didn’t know what else to do, Tomli.”
But his friend shook his head and then he turned to the guards. “Let’s leave this place.”
The prince’s man led the way while the Daggerfist followed behind Tomli and Garinor. They made quick progress heading down the slight decline in the cavern and it wasn’t long before the others outside greeted Tomli, either with heads bowed or on bended knee.
They hurried back to the Daggerfist camp, where Tomli’s first official order of business was to dub Terrian the new commander of the king’s guard. The man who had spent his life protecting the heir now beamed under the recognition of his duty. He immediately selected a few of the Daggerfists around him who would serve under him, and in time he would recreate the knights of the kingdom.
That night was spent in celebration. Tomli took time to speak to everyone present in the camp, including those who had devoutly served the prince. He offered freedom to those who showed homage, while the others were placed under guard for Terrian to deal with later.
Garinor was hailed a hero for all the acts he had accomplished on his quest and once the revelry was finished and a good night’s sleep was had, the large party ventured to the west, on its way to the castle.