Apostrefo traveled as far away from Etherea as he could. And he makes his home in a place where he is better able to work his deceptive ways and where more people have embraced him. But he has changed. His very being has been corrupted along with everything he touches including the people close to him. The sword I had forged and issued to him lost its light long ago, and is no longer one of mine. He attacks and treads only at night for shame of what his own arrogance has done to him. The night use to be a stage on which the stars and moon would play, and the people could watch them in peace. Now most have become increasingly afraid to venture beyond their doors as the day darkens for fear of Apostrepho and his kind. It was his minions you saw lay waste to the village in the pool, though he himself will rarely venture so far from his home. He has traded honor, bravery, and the ideals he once personified for the cowardice he demonstrated tonight, and it is reflected in his appearance. That is why he and his servants are so fearful of the light. And that is why so many of my children are sent abroad.
They are the only ones who I teach to wield the sword, Alitheia. They are taught the ways of the sword, and they are sent out as my ambassadors and to teach others how to use my sword. But there are few who can be taught. Only those who know me can wield it, and until they can wield it they cannot be taught how to use it because it is a living sword that only I and Arene can forge. If used correctly it becomes a part of those who wield it, never leaving their sides and bringing with it a great deal of power. However most people do not understand it, and it will not show its true power to them. If one does not wield it correctly, and with a rightness of heart it will soon become dim and dull.
The day will eventually come when I will ask you to go on a journey, as well. In the meantime you will be trained in the ways of Alitheia, and you will have time to become more acquainted with Aldara.�
Upon hearing this, Ian had mixed feelings. He couldn�t imagine wanting to leave this place, but he couldn�t imagine not doing whatever the king asked of him. And the sight of the massacred village still burned in his memory. The king was asking him to be a mediator, if he didn�t go, who would? What if he could help save a village like that one, but he never left the palace? But then he thought, �How could I ever do such great deeds as that?�
�It�s nothing to worry about now. I would never ask you to do anything I was not certain you could accomplish, and I will always be with you.�
At that point Ian remembered the reflection he saw in the pool, and, though, he didn�t know how, somehow he knew he would become all that his king, his father, saw in him no matter what it took. He was going to learn how to fly.
The king smiled. �You should get some rest,� he said. And on that note the king put his hand on Ian�s shoulder, and he and Aldara walked Ian back out to the hall. Ian turned to look at the stars through the windows as they passed. He was afraid and excited all at once, and for once in his life he looked forward to waking up tomorrow.