Note: I haven't gotten into any angst in this story yet, so it may seem rather plain. But don't worry; when I finish alot more, I'll look back and see if I can put in some angsty foreshadowing.
Elves of Tereth
The Elf walked slowly toward the triangular window of the palace throne room that
overlooked Tereth City. As he stepped closer, he could see the colors of the setting
sun reflect off the still lake and the low structures outside. The palace stood high
above the Elven city, looking down on the smooth, sleek forms of buildings below. Elves
were rustling about the streets, trying to prepare for the New Year before sundown.
The Elf looked about at his people below, then looked up to the sun slowly disappearing
beyond the mountains and closed his eyes.
"Darren..." the older Elf said softly from behind him.
"Why?" he replied just as softly, and opened his eyes.
"Because you are the Keeper of the Earth Aldian, you are the Prince, and because...because
the people look up to you. They find serenity in you."
"And they do not in you?" Darren mocked, already knowing the answer.
The King ignored his retort. "You will go?"
There was a pause, then Darren broke the silence.
"I will go, my King," he said coldly. With that he turned to leave, but paused when
the King spoke.
"You need not be so formal with me, my son," he said, and took a step toward him.
But Darren paid no heed to him and left, walking past the guard and leaving the throne
room behind him.
Coming down a few stairs, he turned left and entered a small door. There was only
a short distance until he came to two glass doors. He pushed them open, and as he
stepped out onto the balcony, three white birds flew across the sky in front of him.
Looking down upon the city, a cool breeze blew his long blonde strands back from his face.
The silver circlet upon his brow shone in the orange glint of the setting sun.
"Elves of Tereth, I speak to you on the gravest of matters," Darren called out from
the balcony. "I realize the New Year is almost upon us, but this is more important.
Gryphons have been sited on the outskirts of Tereth City, and we believe Nexil may
be on the move."
At this, the people below gasped and whispered. They were afraid; for the gryphons
had not been at war or even in contact with races outside of Nexil for centuries.
Darren continued.
"I urge you all to stay indoors until further notice, for the safety of yourselves
and your children," Darren said, hiding his guilt. He turned and left the balcony,
closing the glass doors behind him. He took off the emerald-colored robe he was wearing
over his other clothes, and threw it to the ground beside him, and kept walking. He
found himself going back to the throne room. Before he knew it, he was standing before
his father, who was seated with his head resting on his chin.
"Why did you make me do it?" Darren said coldly.
"It had to be done. They would not take it lightly if it came from me. I don't need
the people having another base to dislike me."
"Of course not...you'd rather have them hate me!" Darren protested.
"The people love you. It matters not what you do, Darren. Even if you used the Earth
Aldian against Tereth, the people would still love you."
Darren grasped the green jewel around his neck that was surrounded by a thin line
of gold. "I would never use it against my own people!" He exclaimed.
"I was only making a point," he said calmly.
"How could you make me lie to our own people? It wasn't even true! The Gryphons have
not left Nexil in centuries! We don't even know if they still exist!" Darren shouted,
and turned back to the triangular window overlooking the city.
"You know that, and I know that," the King said from his seat.
"So does my conscience!" He yelled.
"Then don't listen to it," his father retorted, and glanced up at his son.
"You've been blocking your conscience for years, Father. You don't even know what
the word means anymore," Darren said.
"You do not understand politics, my son."
"Nor do I understand your motives behind this lie...and frankly, I'm afraid to."
"You would not know what to do with them if you did," King Ehlium said in disgust.
"You are ashamed of me?" Darren inquired, lifting his chin.
"Not ashamed; disappointed. Disappointed that you do not approve of what I am trying
to do," the King said in a scornful tone, and stood.
Darren looked confused. There was a fire in his father's eyes that he had not noticed
before.
"What are you trying to do, Father?" he asked softly with a distrustful look, and
took a few steps back.
"I cannot have an heir who will not follow orders..." he said, ignoring his son's
inquiry.
Darren took a few more steps back as King Ehlium motioned for the guard standing by
the wall to come forward. The guard started walking toward him, and Darren sped around
and ran from the room. The guard stopped next to Ehlium, gripping the hilt of his
dagger on his belt.
"Shall I pursue, My Lord?" he asked.
"No," Ehlium said calmly, resting his hand on the the watcher's shoulder. "Send word
to the other guards in the palace. They'll take care of it. We wouldn't want to
make a scene, now would we?" he said with a grin.
The guard smiled. "No, sir. I'll make sure this is dealt with quietly." With that,
he left through a door on the opposite side of the room. The King slowly stepped
back to his throne and sat down, gripping the arm rests, and smiled.
Darren was running down a narrow corridor. He slammed his hands into the wall at the
end to make him turn faster, and flew down the long flight of stairs. At the bottom,
he looked left quickly, but turned right instead. He raced down another corridor,
and spun around the corner. Darting past four doors, he stopped at the fifth, and began
banging on the wood.
"Saviel!" he whispered harshly. "Saviel, quickly!"
The door opened, and Darren hurried in and shut it behind him. He turned around and
leaned on the wooden frame.
"Darren, what of this?" Saviel asked with a look of concern. She had a jewel around
her neck identical to Darren's, only hers was royal blue in color. Her raven black
hair was held back in a braid, and her blue eyes burned through him.
"We must leave immediately. It is no longer safe for us," he said, out of breath.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, worried.
There was a silence. Darren stared at the ground, sorting through his thoughts. The
truth was that he had no idea what was happening, but his Father had gone mad. That
much he knew. Then he remembered what his Father had said about the Earth Aldian,
and looked up at her. "The Aldians..."
She grasped the blue jewel around her neck. "What of them?"
"I fear the palace has other plans for their power and use," Darren told her.
"But...Darren, only an Aldian's keeper can use it."
"Keepers change," Darren said in a low tone, and stared at her. "The King's guards
are looking all over the palace for me. It won't be soon until they find me. Then,
I fear they will seek the keepers of the Water and Fire Aldians," he said, looking
at Saviel.
Saviel was silent. She didn't dare to speak.
"Where is Rilken?" Darren asked, moving toward the lit fireplace.
"He went to the east wing of the palace to..." Saviel trailed off, and her eyes widened.
"Oh no."
"We have to get to him before they do," Darren said frantically, and started toward
the door.
"Wait! They're looking for us as well," Saviel explained, as she opened a large wooden
cabinet a little taller than she was. She shuffled through it and pulled out three
long, hooded cloaks, which were black as night. She pulled it around her and secured
it. Throwing one to Darren, he did the same. With the third cloak in hand, Saviel
opened her chamber door, and looked out. The hall was strangely deserted, but they
were in no position to complain. Quickly making their way down a long corridor, they
came down two flights of stairs, and turned to a carpeted hall with a rail on one side that
overlooked a vast room below. They kept their distance from the rail as they proceeded
down the hall, trying not to be seen by the two Imperial guards who were scanning
through the room below.
They reached the other side of the hall, and noticed a young servant carrying several
folded sheets walking in their direction.
"Excuse us," Saviel said, motioning for her to come to them.
"Yes?" she said, and gave a small bow when she was close enough to notice Darren's
face beneath his cloak.
"We're looking for an Elf about my age, but taller. He has long silver hair and grey
eyes. And he has a red jewel around his neck," Darren explained.
The servant's smile faded. "I saw him being dragged away by palace guards not ten
minutes ago."
Saviel's gaze fell to the floor, and Darren let out a sigh. He looked back at the
servant. "Do you know where they took him?"
"I think they were going to the lower level," she replied.
"Thank you," Darren said without even looking at her. He was focused on the passageway
ahead of them. He and Saviel disappeared into the shadows of the next corridor, and
the servant went on with her business.
Turning another corner, Darren saw three guards coming down the opposite hall. He
grabbed Saviel's hand and pulled her behind the stairwell with him. They watched
the three pass them, and then slipped out behind the stairwell.
"I will need something first," he told her.
Coming to the door at the end of the hall, Darren reached for the handle, but realized
it was not shut. Pushing it open, he saw his chambers had been ravaged. His dresser
was laying sideways on the ground, clothes were strewn on the floor, and the table
and chairs overturned.
"Keep watch," he said to Saviel, and she nodded.
He entered, and stepped over a broken chair, coming to a small wooden stand in front
of one of the windows. Pulling open a compartment, he took his sword, still in its
sheath, and attached it to his belt. Looking up, he saw the sun was almost gone beyond
the hills, and the sky was falling to the shadow of night. His candle was still lit
on the window sill, and it echoed its flame on the smooth surface of the stand behind
it. But a mild breeze blew past the window, and the flame flickered and vanished.
At that moment, something tensed inside him. He rushed to the doorway, and left the room
behind him.
Descending three more flights of stairs, they came to a large wooden door with a ring-shaped
metal handle. Darren silently pushed it open and scanned the room. There were four
Elves in red robes, and wore badges with the Imperial Tereth symbol. There was an Elf sitting in the corner with long silver hair hanging in his eyes. He was gagged,
and his hands were tied behind his back. Darren motioned for Saviel to follow him
in, and she closed the door tightly behind her.
They both crouched behind a stack of crates and peered out at the prisoner, who looked
up and saw them. There was a red jewel with a gold outline resting on a small table
by one of the guards. Darren looked at the bound Elf in the corner, and held his
hand a few inches in front of him. With the other, he covered the Aldian around his neck
as it glowed a bright green, so as not to draw attention. The rope binding Rilken's
hands slowly came undone and fell to the floor behind him. Rilken motioned with his
head toward the table with the red jewel, and Darren nodded. Standing up quickly, Darren
outstretched his arm toward the table, and at that instant, the jewel shot toward
Rilken, who stood and caught it. At Rilken's grip, it glowed a bright red. A blazing
flame appeared in Rilken's other palm, and with a lift of his chin, it came soaring toward
the guards. They dodged to the side, and the flame hit the wall behind them.
Darren unsheathed his sword and came at them. He slashed through the chest of one
and knocked another unconscious with the swing of his fist. A rather burly guard
slammed into Darren, causing him to fall forward into the wall as his sword fell
to the marble floor with a loud clatter. Rilken formed another sphere of fire in his palm, and
shot it to Darren's attacker. The assailant fell to the ground gripping his face,
which bore numerous burns.
The last guard darted toward Rilken, but Saviel tripped him. He fell to the floor
and turned over to stand, only to be pinned by Darren's boot pressing against his
chest. Not moving his glare from the guard on the floor, Darren reached out his hand
toward his sword that was lying on the ground a few meters beside him. It immediately came
to Darren, and he grasped it tightly as he brought it down onto the Elven guard before
him.
Rilken looked over his shoulder to the area behind them, and shock filled his face.
"Saviel!" Rilken cried.
The flame that had hit the side wall before had now encompassed the entire wall in
a sweltering fire, spreading to other walls as well. The Aldian around Saviel's neck
glowed as she closed her eyes, and a cascade of water appeared above the blazing
wall and poured down upon it, waging war with its greatest enemy of all elements. The fire
immediately vanquished, and as the rushing waterfall disappeared, Saviel opened her
eyes. She looked back at the body lying on the floor by Darren and her rage disappeared.
"You killed him," Saviel said with a look of pity.
"No...he will live," Darren replied quietly.
Water had filled the room to their knees, and Darren waded over to the only window
in the room. He smashed the glass with the hilt of his sword, and motioned for them
to hurry. Saviel took the third cloak and handed it to Rilken, who wrapped it around
him. The two made their way to Darren, and Rilken reached up to the frame for support
and climbed through the window, which was just large enough for him to fit through.
Once outside, Rilken laid on the ground and reached his arm down through the window
to the room below, and Saviel took his hand. Darren sheathed his sword, and came last.
The window had led them to the Royal Courtyard, which was lit only by moonlight; most
of the stars were hidden by thick clouds.
I've already written a part that comes later, and all I need to do is to link them together. But I will do that later. For the present, let's just say they got to Evorum, and are entering Quelindis, which is a tavern in the town of Evorum, south of the land of Tereth.
Darren pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, hiding his face for the most part.
The other two did the same, and followed him as he pushed open the entrance and stepped
inside. There were mostly men occupying a few tables here and there, and a band of Yevulei seemed to be segregated and keeping ot themselves. There were several Brumir
scattered through the tavern. One of them glared at Darren as he entered, and the
Brumir's tiny red eyes narrowed as they looked over his long snout from beneath its
hood. There was a ragged-looking Elf hunched over the counter, scrubbing the surface with
a small rag. But looking at his face, you would not know he was common or meager.
Slowly making his way past the first table of men, Darren focused on the bustling
Elf by the counter. His clothes were old and tattered, and his face was dirty. Dark
brown hair streaked with white hung down in his face as his hand made swift, circular
motions over the wooden surface. Sensing someone approaching him he looked up, and stood
motionless as he stared breathlessly. It was as if the Elf was in a trance, a million
thoughts and memories running through his mind; a million emotions. After a moment,
he blinked, and looked back at the rag he was holding, and began scrubbing again.
"Father has banished you as well?" the Elf asked casually, pretending as if it were
not strange to see him again.
"No..." Darren replied, and then quieted his voice to a whisper. "Verence, where can
we speak alone?"
Verence motioned toward a room behind him and turned to enter. Darren slipped behind
the counter and followed, looking out the side of his hood at the two Yevulei eyeing
him from across the tavern.
After their two companions disappeared beyond the doorway, Rilken and Saviel found
a small, vacant table in the corner. Casually glancing around the room, they took
in their surroundings. There was a stone harth in which a fire was set, the shadows
of its flames dancing on the opposite wall. Near the edge of the counter was a narrow staircase
leading to a second floor. They thought the second floor was probably the living
quarters for the owner of
Quelindis. There were several lanterns hung on the wall, but only a few were lit.
Saviel pushed the bottom of her cloak back from her legs to reveal the the rich, azure
fabric of the royal gown she still wore. One of the Brumir whispered to another,
and stood. He quietly left the tavern without anyone noticing.
"King Ehlium probably has all of Tereth seeking us out," Rilken said softly, resting
his arms on the table. Saviel leaned over the table toward him.
"In Evorum? He would never search here. We could stay here until issues resolve,"
Saviel whispered.
Rilken sighed. "We cannot stay here. We know not what Ehlium wanted from us to begin
with, so how could it possibly resolve? One thing is certain: Darren has led us here
for a reason, and I trust him."
"But I did not know Elves dwelt in Evorum," Saviel said softly, referring to Verence.
"We are here."
"We are renegades," Saviel whispered.
"Exactly," Rilken said, shifting his glance toward the closed door leading to his
friend and this new stranger. Saviel turned her head and looked back in wonder, suddenly
finding the face of Verence somewhat familiar.
Darren closed the door behind him, and looked up at Verence who had folded his arms
and was staring back at him.
"What are you doing here?" Verence inquired.
"I have no quarrel with you. I only wish to make sure the Air Aldian is safe, and
remains so," Darren explained.
"You will get it! I am the Keeper by right!" Verence said coldly.
"I wish not to take it; only to ensure its security."
"You would not leave the privelage of the palace and come all the way to Evorum for
that," Verence retorted.
"The palace is no privelage," Darren said softly. He looked to the empty shelf on
the wall; skillfully engraved, and marked with the flowing script of Lenoria Sten.
"Darren, I now live in Evorum not by choice," Verence told him. "I live among outcasts,
criminals, meager wanderers, and everyone else who has no home but desires one. Do
you know what it's like being banished by your own family?"
Darren turned back immediately and glared at him, his eyes filled with anger and sorrow.
"I could have done nothing! I was a child!" Darren exclaimed. "Do you think it was
easy for me to see my older brother dragged out of the palace, my Father cursing
your name, Mother crying and telling me I would never see you again? Things are not
as peaceful and luxurious in the palace for me as you make them out to be."
"The Prince of Tereth, honord and respected by everyone, to rule them once their King
passes beyond the stars," Verence mocked.
"Father is trying to kill me, Verence! He has all the Imperials on his side out searching
for me and the other Keepers. I fled before I was captured."
There was silence, and Verence looked at him in astonishment. "Saviel? Is she safe?"
"She and Rilken are here with me," Darren assured. "The King is not who he used to
be, nor is Tereth City the place it once was. I am the only person who knows you
are in Evorum for the present, but it will not be long until Father finds out. I'm
sure he has spies everywhere."
"Strange deeds are indeed at hand in Epsidon," Verence said quietly, pondering deeply.
"There have been large numbers of Brumir passing through Evorum lately. Most, I found,
were on their way to Tereth."
"Brumir," Darren repeated, astonished. "Are you sure their destination was Tereth?"
"That is what I have overheard many a times lately; that they were heading for Tereth,"
Verence said.
"That is indeed strange," Darren said to himself, confused. "Well, we cannot stay
in Evorum. We must leave immediatly. Where is the Air Aldian?
Verence reached into his shirt, and pulled out the chain that was around his neck.
A jewel the color of the morning mist mist hung upon it. "It is with me always."
"May the Faeries be with us in this night," Darren said, as he truned back to the
door to the main room.
"I don't believe in fairies," Verence stated.
"So cynical..." Darren remarked, sarcastically.
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This is all that I have written or posted at this time. When I have time to write more, I will post it. But I have so many other things to do, especially now that school has started, that it is difficult to find time to write alot.
notes:
Quelindis (name of the tavern in Evorum) in the language of the Yevulei means "Moonlit" or "Lit by the Moon"
Geography Notes:
...
Epsidon- Name of the world this story takes place in.
...
Tereth- Elven land of the North; located in the Northern area of Epsidon. Ruled by King Ehlium. There is a steep snow-capped mountain called Kurimic located in Tereth, but the Elves there do not bother with it and basically stay clear of it. Apart from the mountain, there is the city of Tereth. This is where most of the Northern Elves live, but some live on the outskirts. The outskirts consist of some grassy fields with minor tree coverage.
-Crescent Fold- a large quarry near Mount Kurimic.
-Lake Suendra- a lake in Tereth City.
-Gulf of Virlen- a gulf north of Mount Kurimic.
-Emserialon Wood- A mysterious wood near Tereth City. It is said there is
much ancient Elven magic in that forest still.
-Mt. Kurimic- A steep, snow-capped mountain northwest of Tereth City.
-Tildon River- A river south of Mt. Kurimic.
...
Lenoria Sten- Elven land of the East; located in the Eastern area of Epsidon. Ruled by King Ceren.
-Lenoria- The main city in Lenoria Sten where most of the Eastern Elves live,
as well as King Ceren.
-Grenlis- The woods around Lenoria.
-Inai River- River that runs through Grenlis.
...
Bretiri- Home of the Brumir. They live in caves underground, and are a rather business-related race of Epsidon. They have tiny red eyes and long snouts. They will usually wear hooded cloaks when in the presence of other races. More often than none, business comes before morals with the Brumir. They'll sell out to anyone for a price.
-Lake Brutir- A river that runs into Bretiri from the west.
...
Destenar- Main area of the Humans. Located in Southern Epsidon.
-Drendil- One of three major Human cities in Destenar.
-Rivis- One of three major Human cities in Destenar.
-Haluen- One of three major Human cities in Destenar.
-Crenoth Fields- A flat grassland east of Drendil. There are a few farms here
and there.
-Feralon- A barren marshland in southwestern Destenar.
-Galas River- also called River of Sorrows. A large river that reaches from the
Eastern Coast to the outskirts of Rivis.
-Morsan Wood- A forest south of Rivis.
-Greywood- A forest east of the Crenoth Fields in northern Destenar.
-Gulf of Hilden- a large gulf between Haluen and Morsan Wood in southern
Destenar.
...
Nexil- Home of the Gryphons. They live in the caves of the mountains in Nexil. Nexil
is a dead and barren place. Most people who go to Nexil never return.
...
Evorum- a small insignificant city south of Tereth. No single race dwells there. It's
basically a mixture of alot of different peoples. Mainly outcasts, people who wish
to stay low profile, people without much money, etc.
...
Lake Zealos- a large lake in neutral territory northwest of Destenar.
Peoples not mentioned in "geography"
...
Yevulei- a wandering people. They are basically hermits; having no city or main area
of land where they live. Yevulei are shorter in height than Elves or Humans, but
not overly so. They usually are about 4 ft or so. Male Yevulei are always bearded,
as a tradition passed down since as long as they can remember. Their skin is usually darker
in color than Elves or Humans as well. The singular form is Yevul.
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