by Amy E Hix
The Centaurs were dropped off into the Forest’s edge to be reunited with their families. Then we took the Unicorns closer to the heart of the forest, where a vale now existed as home to the Dryads, Treants, Faeries and all the other legendary creatures of Gael.
When we returned to Rhalas, shortly before the noon hour, Mabashi looked up eagerly when he heard the cries of a young child, “Father, Father!” He looked down to find Noguri’s sweet face. He was jumping up and down trying to gain his father’s attention.
We watched as Mabashi was reunited with his family below us, in the streets of the grand city of Rhalas. Then we looked at one another and decided it was time to make our own journey home as well. Loren met us at the horses, already packing up our supplies for the trip home. She was almost finished loading Ace.
There was little more that could be said between us. We had experienced the journey of a lifetime, a magical trip around the lands, destroying the source of fear that had plagued our families long before we were children, before our fathers and mothers were children. I wasn’t sure what the future would hold, but I knew this…it would be good, and it would be long, and we would finally live it in peace.
Turk
Solecreation was sitting at a table when I approached him.
“Turk!” he said to me and rose to shake my hand.
As we sat and talked a little, I found out he was just as hesitant about leaving as I was. The other six members of our team showed up one by one. For many of us, those we had fought beside had become closer than family.
King Ederich approached us as we sat at our table in the Coterie courtyard.
“I have instructions for you, Solecreation,” he said making the announcement well-heard among the whole team, “King Naethan wants you, if you are willing, to move a group of people into the lands of Sapir. You choose the location, and Rhalas will help you set up the place. Just tell us when and where. Does that sound like something you would be willing to do?”
“I’d like nothing more,” he said with wide eyes, recalling all the discussions he had with Ryan and Winge along the way.
“Very well, then consider it a done deal,” his statement indicated finality to his message, yet he still stood as if he had something else to say, “Oh, and Solecreation…Make your preparations worthy of a King, for the deal includes a castle, a crown, and your own court.” The faces around the table lit up as King Ederich said this, “Take anyone you wish with you. You’re in charge now, King Solecreation.”
Upon saying this last statement, he bowed before Solecreation and left our table.
“Are you kidding?! That’s great, man. Congratulations!” Natasul shook his friend’s shoulders with excitement.
“You will be coming with me, won’t you?” Solecreation asked him.
Natasul looked at Jaerra, not sure how to answer Solecreation. He had made the decision in his heart to move where she was after the conversation they had on the ship. But when he looked at her, she smiled and nodded to him.
Natasul looked surprised, “You mean?”
“Yes, silly, I’ll go,” she told him.
“Winge? Ryan?” Solecreation turned to them, “There aren’t two more competent brothers in arms I would want in my kingdom. You ladies, too, and Turk…We can stay teamed up in Sapir and show them what we’re made of.”
We all started smiling at the prospect of continuing our journeys together. Solecreation received the instant approval of everyone but me.
“My mother wants us to be together again. I’ve gone years without her and my Aunt Kelara being a part of my life. I’m not sure where…”
“Sapir sounds like a wonderful home for us, dear,” My mother had walked up behind me and heard the last part of the conversation.
Kelara and Shift were with her. She reached up and grabbed my shoulders from behind, allowing her arms to fall around my neck like she always did. Then she looked at Kelara who could only grin, knowing what fun she could find wherever she happened to be.
“Don’t forget about Pinky and Zaaid,” Kelara reminded them. Pinky was a must have for her, for he lightened her spirits. And Zaaid had already stated that he wanted to be closer to the Luminomes so he could keep in contact.
“They are more than welcome to join us,” Solecreation said, and then he turned to the Human Enchantress, “Shift, what about you?”
“I’m going to stay here in Rhalas and serve King Ederich,” she replied, “But your city will be the one I most frequently visit. Stheta and Kelara are like my sisters.”
“Then a visit is what we’ll have to settle for,” Solecreation said and lifted a glass, “To victory, to a new life, and above all, to our continued friendship!”
We toasted with him and drank.
Fouad
So, yeah. All the other warriors were all flown to their home cities, where they were greeted with a hero’s welcome. Most of them were just fine going back to their old lives. Not us.
Mank wanted to branch out and explore the remote areas of Gael. And being his sister and my partner, it was only natural that Shelija go. Valkryiex would be joining us, too, never truly having the heart of a stay-at-home Skadowan anyway. Me? Well, you never know when you’ll need a good Demon Master around, now do you?
We decided we would start by setting up a base camp in the old ruins of Byhalia, west of Maralune, for deep within the dormant volcanoes, we heard there was a large source of diamonds that would serve to provide us with a very lucrative lifestyle. In my earlier school days, I learned about a horde of water demons that lived deep beneath the surface near the islands.
Slick would have plenty of room to roam and wouldn’t scare any kids. And you know what? I think this is where I belong. I really do.
Kal
As we entered the Evergrove, my brothers and Loren and I almost didn’t recognize the place. Even though the Legion had never made its way fully into our lands, there was now a remarkable difference with the various enhancements granted to our land from Minzkala. And yet, we felt at home all the same, once again riding the familiar paths of the forest where we were raised.
My father, Takari, had been waiting for us. The other Elves had recognized the change in the lands and felt that the war was over. He sat out near the guard’s hut every chance he had, peering off into the east, studying the paths that would bring his boys home again.
It had taken us five days to get here. When we saw the lift, we kicked our horses into a full-throttled run, racing to the lift. It reminded me of the race to the stream that started it all. Only this time, Loren won. I think Ace cheated.
Father spotted us and ran as fast as he could across the hanging bridgeways to our house.
“Alyne! Alyne, they’re home!” I heard him cry from above.
At the first sound of her name, she knew from his tone what his next words would be. She had already made her way through the house and practically ran into him at the door on her way out. When they approached the lift, they looked below to find us and our weary childhood playmate boarding the platform.
The new armor and weapons made us all appear more mature, like we had each aged several years. As we rode to the top on the lift, I caught sight of our parents looking down. The twins and Cyrow rushed off the platform immediately to embrace them.
I stood with my arm around Loren’s waist, and watched as they exchanged hugs. From the corner of her eye, my mother looked at me with a deeper admiration. She said I reminded her of father when he was just beginning to climb the ranks of the Forest Elves, when she had fallen in love with him.
She walked slowly up to me with tears in her eyes and grabbed my face up in her hands, kissing me on the cheek, “Welcome home, son.”
Then she turned to Loren and kissed her cheek as well. “You’ve made a fine choice with this one,” She told her with a smile. Loren’s parents greeted us all, hugging
her and saying how thankful they were that she was all right.
Together, our families took us home and began to plan the most gorgeous wedding the Forest Elves had ever seen. The lands, with their added splendor, were a beautiful sight on the warm spring morning as we gathered by the stream.
Loren fidgeted with her bracelet while the other maidens adorned her hair with strands of pearls. I stood as she made her way to join me beside the stream. In the very spot where our love was first born, we made our public commitment to one another.
Vamble’s parents were there, too. They had not grieved as those who have no hope, for they had traveled to see Vamble in Rhalas in his glowing state, and they knew they would see him again.
For many years, the joy and pride they felt when they heard the stories of Vamble’s valiant effort was re-ignited every time they were around my brothers and me. And anytime they heard a wolf faintly howling in the forest, they thought of him.
Thirty-One
The Coronation and the Coterie
Kal
A year later, my brothers and I were sent another summons, this time asking us to head straight for the land of Sapir. We had been requested to attend the coronation of King Solecreation.
He chose to build his city just inland from the southwestern coasts of Sapir, establishing a connective trade route through Turchaesh and on to the port of Nebal. They had, after all, acquired an excellent negotiator for the trade industry there and found working with the Imperial Elves to be a delight.
My brothers and I were not the only ones invited to Sapir. The new city of Celestar, adorned in all the beauty of Minzkala and named after Celestra, gave a warm welcome to nearly all who had fought beside us in Aheb’an.
Wreaths of flowers lined the city walls as we made our way into a courtyard, more splendid than any we had entered since Minzkala. The streets were made of golden clay bricks, coated in a special new gloss that caused them to shine, a new creation of the Luminomes.
They were there, too, most of them anyway. Darian was happy to accept the invitation Zaaid and Pinky brought to him personally. The visitors to the city who had never met the Luminomes were struck with wonder when they saw the small lighted men and women.
Fouad and Mank, along with Shelija and Valkryiex came in together. Shelija had made the crown for Solecreation’s coronation. It was absolutely stunning and held a two-carat diamond amid the brow line.
Mabashi brought his family, including his newborn baby girl. He was pleased to find Cenathor and Archaos also in attendance. They were standing with Ryan and Winge, going over a tour of the city, as the two warriors from Rhalas showed them various points of interest.
“And this…is the Coterie, new and improved,” Winge said as he brought them by the Coterie Courtyards. “We’ve amped the capacity to fit up to a hundred warriors at once, all together on one mission.”
Cenathor and Archaos both listened intently as he explained a few more modifications that piqued their interest. They had both been in the training units back in Rhalas, but only with a handful of warriors.
This unit would create a whole land of discovery in which we could set our assignments to whatever we wanted to run. In addition, two teams could face off against one another. We were all anxious to try it out.
Archaos spoke up and asked him, “How about we all get in there after the coronation and give it a spin?”
“That, my friend, has already been arranged,” Ryan added.
Solecreation was standing with Natasul and Jaerra, greeting the new arrivals. They were happy to see so many familiar faces.
As the time for the coronation drew near, we made our way to sit in the rows of adorned chairs that lined the courtyard. I searched for a spot to sit and found my old friend, Mabashi. I took Loren by the arm to help her stand with me.
She looked down at her belly pleasantly as Mabashi came to notice the small precious package she carried around her waist. Loren picked up Mabashi’s new baby girl to try her on for size.
“Her name is Reyna,” he proudly told us.
“And how are the hounds?” I asked him.
“Ahh, Core and Jinx. They’re doing well. Turned out to be mighty fine hunting dogs.”
We sat together and continued our discussions until the trumpets sounded. Above us, Solecreation made a regal entrance to the Palace Balcony. To his left and his right were members of his Court, all now bearing the title of Lords and Ladies. The ceremony was finalized with the presentation of the crown, placed on Solecreation’s head by King Ederich.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, King Solecreation.” We all cheered the new king and upon being dismissed with a short speech, made our way to the banquet tables.
We sat around Solecreation’s table at the banquet following the coronation. As he rose from his chair, we grew quiet and focused our attention on the new king. He looked out among us, seemingly trying to remember what each of our faces had meant to him along our journey together.
Then he raised his goblet into the air and toasted, “To King Naethan.”
It was a bittersweet moment that each person took with a solemn heart, remembering the King who gave his life so that we could enjoy the splendor of Minzkala. Our hearts filled with a humble gratitude and we cried, “Hear, hear,” and drank together.
King Solecreation wasn’t quite finished yet, however. “And now, warriors of all the lands in Gael, I ask you to join me in a less dangerous sporting activity, the Coterie.”
After gearing up for the run, we made our way through the Courtyard and met up at the entrance to the Coterie. Captain Kellerson stood on the walls once more and looked down at our eager faces.
Loren took a seat near the front to watch me, her hero, go in with all my brothers, my brothers-in-arms. The other spectators sat around the tables and prepared to watch us do what we do best.
Captain Kellerson looked at Solecreation, King of Celestar, and said, “Enter at will.”
Then he dropped down to the ground below and joined us all for one more battle together.
Warrior Classes
Archers make use of bows and arrows in combat. They typically stand near the back of the group and focus on aiming their shots. However, when confronted toe to toe with an enemy, Archers are perfectly capable of and highly skilled at using two-handed swords.
Bards sing the songs of the people of Gael. They use mandolins, sitaras, trumpets, flutes and battle drums. The music they produce can affect four areas: offensive or combat, defensive or protective, rejuvenation, or animal control.
Blade Mavens are experts at the use of swords. Duel-wielding swords, they combine their attacks with acrobatics to give quite a show on the battlefield. They are trained, with precision, what areas to attack on a given enemy to cause the most significant damage.
Champions are the leaders of the groups. They have tactical knowledge at a superior level and the personality to lead their teams on to victory. Some are gifted with protection abilities while others are better at keeping the attention of the target enemy, lessening the need for such protection.
Clerics have significant healing abilities. They use prayers and empathy spirits to increase healing potential. They rarely fight, but still wear the hardened armor of a swordsman, because they often draw the attention of the enemy.
Conjurors are masters at creating various objects and conditions from the very elements around them. Extracting the elements and combining them together helps the Conjurors provide a group with anything from rains of ice shards to repelling equipment to hydrochloric acid bombs.
Demon Masters control the dark spirit realm. A highly sought-after class, but rare to find for either good or evil sides. They are mostly reclusive and use their powers for personal gain. Demon Masters are capable of holding, controlling, and ultimately possessing demons.
Enchanters have a mental appeal among m
en and beasts. They can tap into the psychological aspects of an enemy’s mind and control every brain function. They have the unique ability to slip inside a being and see things as that host sees them. With much practice, they can even control the host.
Illusionists are similar to Enchanters. They can change the appearance of situations and can manipulate objects, even on an elemental scale, to provide them with advantages on the battlefield. A prime example of this is their ability to levitate from the ground.
Pyromancers are able to do just about anything using fire. Manipulating this highly dangerous element combination is something Pyromancers live for. They can apply fire in any situation and are the highest damage dealers within any group.
Spirit Healers are masters of the light spirit realm. Only good forces have Spirit Healers to assist them. Drawing from what is right in life and creation, Spirit Healers use any means of natural existence to attack, protect, heal and encourage.
Warriors by Race/Hometown
Forest Elves from Jalathiel live a solitary live in their communities. They never venture out to cities for trade but are agreeable to trading with those who travel to their forest homes. With huts built around tree trunks and lifts that lead to a network of swinging bridgeways, the Forest Elves live high above the forest floors. Small in stature, with pointy facial features, they are adept at archery and swords, hunting and gathering. Family life is their focus, passing on from generation to generation the values and customs of their people. The live long lives because their bodies can filter out impurities in the air they breathe. This quality also makes them some of the wisest known to Gael.
Sigge, Raffe, Kaliesto, and Cyrow are the four brothers summoned to Minzkala. Sigge and Raffe, the twins, are Spirit Healers; Kal is reassigned as a Champion in Minzkala; Cyrow is a Blade Maven. Loren is their childhood friend and a Bard. Vamble, another Forest Elf is a little older than the brothers. He is also a Blade Maven.
