by Tom Rogal
The throne room had a high ceiling with elvish writing all along its grand arches. The white stone had veins of maroon. His meeting, discussing business with his chancellor, Bournii, was interrupted as one of the guards entered. Thamalos signaled to his friend to pause their conversation. When the guard reached him, he whispered in the elven prince’s ear. Very interesting.
Thamalos replied, “Entrii eirimoprito” Allow them entry.
The guard nodded and turned around to follow the order. Thamalos faced Bournii, knowing what he would say before it was said.
“Tuii eliiutr.” We’ll talk later.
The chancellor left as the guard let Levus and Divi inside. Thamalos watched them approach until they stopped about midway from the throne. He stood up with a smile.
“Huii entouiighiri maginiia siialio” It is rare for a mage to come here.
Divi began to walk again toward Thamalos and he descended from the throne to meet her..
She replied, “Maginiias doniiatimiium selii.” Then mages don’t know what they are missing.
Thamalos and Divi met at the top of the steps and took hold of each other’s arms.
“It is good to see you again, Honorable Divi.”
“Likewise, Prince Thamalos. How many times have I told you that you don’t need those formalities with me?”
Thamalos replied, smiling, “About as many times as I told you the same.”
Divi gave a quiet laugh. Both knew the times were countless, as they had been doing this since she was a little girl. Some things would never change. She was so caught up with their visiting ritual that she almost forgot about Levus, who cleared his throat. She could see him trying hard to curb his enthusiasm.
Divi said, “I’m sorry. Thamalos, this is Levus Sintar from Dyyros. Levus, this is Thamalos, High Prince of the Elves.”
A large smile grew on the elf's face as Thamalos walked down to the steps and greeted Levus. Levus extended his right hand, ready to shake. Thamalos instead grabbed his arm with his right arm and held it stationary. Levus was a little confused by elf’s greeting.
Thamalos asked, “Sintar? Dyyros? It is rare for a human, especially from Dyyros, to visit here... and especially one with such honorable blood.”
Levus was puzzled by his response. It was almost as if Thamalos had heard of him before, or at least his last name, just like the tree. Did the tree tell him? How would the tree even know about his dad?
“Tell me about it. I didn’t even know elves existed. Is it true an elf can live thousands of years?” asked Levus.
Thamalos chuckled at the boy’s inquiry, though he seemed surprised all the same. Did the reigning champion not tell his own blood about his accomplishment? He was just as shocked to learn Levus came from Dyyros as Jared was last seen in Formia. Divi walked down the steps to meet them.
“This is your friend’s first trip to the mainland, isn’t it?” asked Thamalos.
She smiled as he let go of Levus and returned to his throne. So much for trying to keep his excitement quiet. Izaris would shake his head at her.
Thamalos asked, “By what honor do I get to see you again after all these years? I apologize for not seeing you arrive like I normally would. Things have been hectic here recently with my father’s illness my focus has been distracted.”
Divi stepped up ahead of Levus.
“We need your help. My father and nearly the entire Myyrilian council were killed on Dyyros by the ruling party’s army, and we were attacked by some creatures who spoke elvish. We were hoping to gain allies to defeat the dictator and also free the Dyyros Woods of these creatures.”
Thamalos looked at Divi strangely. “I am sorry to hear about your father. There were whispers, now ones I can confirm. For those . . . creatures who spoke our tongue, I don’t understand. An elf has not visited Dyyros in hundreds of years. With my father being sick, those who have not left to become Elf Eyes on ships or other places on the mainland are staying in support of his legacy and to help when needed. Not all of my people follow my strong ideals, you see. That will be a discussion for another time. Are you certain it was elvish?”
“Yes." Divi replied. "A rougher version of it, but I know without a doubt it was. You know I am fluent in elvish.”
That he did. In fact, he taught much of it to her himself when she visited last time. For most, it took a long time to learn their language. Elvish’s extensive use of vowels and similarities between many other elvish words made it difficult to learn. Divi, however, learned all the basics within a week and obviously read all the books he lent her. All she needed was the pointed ears . . . well, and that whole thing about learning magic.
Thamalos took a deep breath. “What about Neeza? Did he tell you why you were going to Dyyros? I find this very strange, considering he tried to invade it many years before. I recall him being banned by the ruling party at the time. The armistice is still in the Cordcan Museum of History as they were proud of preventing a possible global conflict. For that reason, I find it believable that the current government would send a force to stop him if they knew he was coming.”
Levus’ eyes opened wide. Divi saw his reaction, but knew there was little she could do about it.
She answered, “I don’t know why. My father refused to tell me, though he did mention that it was important that he meet this particular man. I don’t remember him naming anyone. He never had the chance to. I don’t know how they could have known. We left in the middle of the night, directly after some meeting they had . . . it sounded like he wanted to keep this visit secret. We barely stepped foot on the docks when the city was attacked.”
Thamalos paced in front of the throne for a few seconds before sitting. If what she said was true, then yes, it was odd that they could send troops that quickly. Then again, he knew next to nothing about Dyyros’ current leader.
The other thing he could tell was that despite how she felt toward her father, he detected some sorrow for him. Neeza was very hardened, but dedicated to those he cared about. Because of this, Thamalos was surprised Divi talked about him in the way she did. It didn't sound like the mage leader he last met at the Arten-Nesseis disputes. Something happened ten years ago, and the elf prince figured it had to do with more than just the loss of Mierena.
“Divi, it is not like I don’t want to help you, but please understand there are many other factors preventing me from doing this without hesitation.”
Levus interrupted, “So, there’s no way you’re going to help? We came all this way for you.”
“If your intent is to overthrow a dictator, you will need more support than just my people. Although I sympathize with your aim, your problem lies in that Dyyros is not threatening anyone enough to justify going to war. I truly do not even know the dictator’s name. You will most likely get the same answer from the other kingdoms as well. Would you be able to acquire some type of proof? I do want to help, as a testament to our friendship, but I need more if I am to convince my people to risk their lives. The elves do not like violence and do their best to avoid it in matters of the other races. You know that.”
Divi nodded, defeated. She wanted the elves’ help, but didn’t want to push her old friend. Plus, they were well beyond getting proof. That would mean going back to Dyyros, capturing a Night Predator, and bringing it back. That wasn’t going to happen. They were just going to need to change their tack.
She said, “Very well. Thank you for seeing me. We will have to meet again under more pleasant circumstances.”
Divi and Levus turned to exit. Just as they were about to leave, Thamalos stood up and ran down the steps. He hoped for this one time that his elven sight was wrong.
“Wait! Stop them!”
Both pivoted around with nearly the same haste. Levus could hear the urgency in Thamalos’ voice as the guards blocked the door with large metal pikes.
“Divi, come here.”
While she walked slowly back, Thamalos’ quicker steps allowed him to reach her much faster.
Levus asked, “What’s wrong?”
Thamalos spun Divi around, realizing that his fear was real. Around one of the leather straps that held Divi's staff, the remains of a creature’s hand clenched tightly. She must not have felt it because the hand was wedged near the corner of the strap, and he knew Divi didn’t sleep on her back normally. He felt a slimy substance on it. He knew only a few places where this substance could be found. In this case, it had probably been found purely by accident, but luckily for him. Thamalos slowly removed it from her strap.
“Where did you find this?”
Levus explained, “Well, we didn’t find it. It found us. We were attacked by Night Predators. Didn’t even realize it was still there. Wouldn’t that have started decomposing?”
“Normally. Do you know of the garceragus tree? Dyyros is one of the few places where it can grow and flourish.”
“Yeah . . . actually. That tree surrounds the sancaratis. That's where the Night Predators stopped chasing us. How do you know about it?” Levus asked.
“That tree, during the high point of the autumn, drips sap from the upper branches toward the ground. The roots in turn absorbs it, giving the tree the nutrients it needs to survive over the winter. The sap also is known to preserve organic materials for months, even years if enclosed right.”
The elf still didn’t want to believe it, yet as the hand was covered in the sap, that meant Divi had it on the strap before encountering garceragus trees. The only other place they grew was in Lozela and he knew they didn’t get it from there, as the trees were all located north of the palace.
“This situation has just become serious.”
Thamalos jogged toward his throne, signaling for a guard to come to him.
He ordered, “Reiidija eiitiun opiion ca piiolin! Enii seiiunhai Eraddor.” Ready the horses for departure! And see if Eraddor has left.
Levus watched in confusion as Thamalos sat on the throne. Even Divi appeared unsure what was going on as she walked over to him.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
Thamalos took a deep breath before explaining, “What you fought on Dyyros was what we call Emmarius. They are commonly known on the mainland as Ettui, or condemned ones. You see, in the beginning there were seven main clans of elves: the Cathuai, the Oruthai, the Rhuttana, the Severnai or Wood Elves, the Eratuu, the Dractii, and my clan, the Thorii. All the races lived together in peace, except the Eratuu. They destroyed their land and lived in the barren hills, and we’ve known them ever since as dark elves. In time, the other clans were consumed by the Eratuu’s ways. Other than a few refugees, the Wood Elves and we are all that remain in great numbers.”
Levus interrupted, “But why are they so ugly while your race is beautiful?”
“An elf’s appearance is based on their treatment of the earth. Because our powers are heavily based on her, we keep her growing. Since the Eratuu didn't replant what they sowed for weapons, scorched the earth, and defaced their farmlands with poisons, they became hideous and lost their magical powers.”
Divi asked, “But why call them Ettui? Although I know about them, I guess how they became what they were never crossed my mind.”
“Because they are different. When the rest of the clans were being consumed, their bodies began to resemble those of the Eratuu. A great curse was inflicted on the Oruthai, Rhuttana, Dractii, and Cathuai when the Eratuu defeated them. They are now condemned forever, as Mother Terra will never forgive their betrayal to her.”
The guard elf finally returned to Thamalos and whispered something into his ear. He nodded his head and looked back in Levus and Divi’s direction.
“If what you say is true, we must discover the Ettui’s intentions, and we’ll only be able to learn them from their leader, Darca, on Barbata. There is no order the Ettui would follow without his approval. We must convince the other races to send a counterattack. The Ettui have been the common enemy of all the races for thousands of years. I was there the day this all began. If the Ettui have found a way to build ships without elven assistance and travel between the continents, the safety of the world is in great peril.”
Levus suddenly fell to his knees as his muscles clenched up again. Thamalos could see the light from the amulet even through Levus’ tunic. This gift obviously came from the tree, and it was only given to those with darkness in their hearts, whether their own or from another.
When the pain ended, Divi helped Levus up as he tried to compose himself again. Thamalos looked softly into Levus’ eyes.
“Do not worry. The tree deemed it necessary that you wear that, and she appears to be correct. It will not harm you in any way, though, the pain will last so long as you wear the amulet and carry the burden you carry.”
As Thamalos finished his sentence, a man dressed in black entered. Divi couldn’t believe this was the one Thamalos waited for. He was the same person who helped them with the Midenbeasts!
“Ah, Eraddor! I’m glad I caught you before you left. You dropped off the materials to our alchemists?”
“Yes, they are working on the solvent now. They seem less confident than you are that it will slow your father’s pain, but they figured it could do no worse.”
Eraddor removed the cloak over his head to reveal a man in his mid-thirties. He had long, dark blond hair that looked like it needed a good washing. He was clean-shaven, but small whiskers could be seen in spots.
Thamalos finally realized his rudeness. “I am sorry. Levus and Divi, this is Eraddor. We permit him to live on our lands, but he doesn’t call any place home. In exchange, we sometimes ask him to perform menial errands, but nothing more than he can handle.”
Levus replied, “I think we all previously met not that long ago.”
Thamalos at first wondered how that was possible, but recalled that he sent Eraddor to a small mage village to acquire a solvent that would hopefully help his ailing father. It lay along the route, a northern merchant trail, Divi and Levus likely would have taken. It at least saved him explaining why he wanted Eraddor to accompany their small group.
“Excellent. Then you would not mind if I have him accompany us.”
Levus asked, “Where do we go first?”
“Myyril. Desris, land of our half-brethren, shall follow. Finally, we will go to the kingdoms of men, primarily Cordca. They will be the most difficult to sway.”
Divi was hesitant. She felt very unsure about returning to Myyril. That was why she went to Lozela first. After what she saw on Dyyros in Porsita, what would she say to the people? They had to have known she was on that ship. How would they react, seeing she was the only one to return?
“We will all stay in Barnat for the night and head for Myyril in the morning," Thamalos announced. "It will take five or six days, but we will make it. I shall see you all tomorrow. I have some business to attend to quickly before I head to Barnat. Eraddor, guide them to the trading post.”
Eraddor nodded and said, “Follow me, young ones.”
Before they exited, the guardian who gave Levus the amulet stopped them. Assuming they wanted their amulet back, Levus started taking it off. The guardian took his arm gently.
“The Great Tree has deemed it more important that you keep the amulet on you at all times. It is a repellent against dark powers. When something evil is trying to control you, this amulet will deter it. She does not know how effective it will be once you leave the sacred grounds, beyond the reach of our magic that helps it to deter all dark magic, yet in the meantime can do nothing but help.”
Levus wasn’t so sure about that. When it seized his muscles and made him into a withering mess, it certainly wasn’t helpful. What if it happened in the middle of a fight, like the ones he had with Kile? He wouldn’t be here today. He figured he could only wear it when battle was not likely.
“Tell the . . . Great Tree I say thank you.”
The guardian nodded as he let the three pass. Eraddor wasted no time bringing them to the stables and saddling their horses.
Spurring his mount to a full trot, Eraddor yelled, “We must hurry if we want to make it to Barnat before nightfall. The trader at the outpost doesn’t like night visitors.”
Divi and Levus tried to keep up with him, but Eraddor was much too quick. Divi thought that his horse must be from Lozela’s lands, which were known to be the fastest and most graceful of all horses and less likely to show fear in battle. She saw how that would work well with its rider.
By the time they did reach Barnat, Eraddor was already waiting for them at the entrance.
“We will leave our horses at the stable. The owner of the outpost will feed yours special food so that their endurance will be as great as any true-blood elven horse's. It would be temporary, of course, lasting only a month, but long enough to suit our purpose.”
Divi asked as she got off her horse, “Is yours a true-blood?”
“Yes. Her name is Gillantrial. It means ‘courage of fire’ in elvish. She chose me while I was meditating in the woods surrounding Lozela. Thamalos thought it was because she was a free spirit like myself that she chose me. Truly a magnificent horse.”
Levus pondered, “Are all the elf horses female? I keep hearing you refer to yours as ‘she’.”
Eraddor laughed heartily and even Divi had to chuckle at Levus’ comment.
“No, there are male horses too. The elves believe that nature should be in balance in every way possible. That is why male riders are given female horses and female riders are given male horses. I should say are chosen, as the Lozelan horse chooses its master.”
They left their horses in the stable and while Eraddor went to talk to the outpost owner, Levus and Divi went to the inn building. It was very small, as Levus assumed those who traded here didn’t stay a long time. He wondered if Izaris was still here, as they didn’t leave him that long ago, but the empty inn suggested he had left already.
