Everflame: The Complete Series

by Dylan Lee Peters

  The crowd stood, sheepish and silent, as Firerock stalked away from them. Even Oaktongue had been stung by Firerock’s words. Why hadn’t I spoke those words? he thought to himself. This is why I am stuck in the position that I am. If only it was I who wielded Firerock’s voice. And suddenly a sinister thought crossed Oaktongue’s mind. The corners of his eyes narrowed and grew wrinkles, the corners of his dry lips curled slightly and his paws dug ever so silently into the earth. His thoughts were tantalizing him to the point where it took effort to suppress the impish, little noises his happiness was trying to produce. Then, satisfied with his malevolence, Oaktongue sauntered to the front of the crowd and uttered the words that would begin his scheme.

  “I stand behind Firerock.” He then turned toward the path to the castle and followed the bears that had marched before him, and slowly but surely, every other bear followed his example.

  •••

  The Everflame burned and flickered as the solemn scene unfolded. Whiteclaw’s corpse now lay before it and the great Tenturo stood before them both. As many bears as could, lined the walls of the flame’s room, gazing in wonder as the ancient beast began to work his magic. Tenturo closed his eyes and bowed his head as a fine, green mist began to emanate from his beak. The mist clung to the floor and moved out from the Ancient in all directions. It stayed low to the ground and crept closer to the bears in the room. As it reached the bears, it began to float up into the air, allowing all of them to breathe it in and exhale it back out. No one feared the mist as it enveloped them, but instead, it set the room at ease as Tenturo’s voice reached out to all of them.

  “We are here to honor Whiteclaw. Use this time to recall your fondest memory of him. The mist needs to know who he was.”

  Softly, the sound of Autumnbreeze’s sobs began to increase in volume until all in the room could hear them. It struck at the heart of everyone and tears began to roll down faces all around. The heart of the mountain had broken.

  The green mist then left the bears and instead, moved toward the empty vessel that was the body of Whiteclaw. The crowd stared in wonder as it rolled over him and then slowly began to enter through his nose, filling him as if he were a balloon. His body swelled and began to lift into the air.

  “Your thoughts have chosen his memorial,” uttered Tenturo softly.

  Suddenly, the world faded from the bears and it seemed as if they floated in black space. All they could see was the Everflame, shining brightly, and the lifeless body of Whiteclaw rising to meet it. Whiteclaw’s body moved underneath the flame and rose up on its hind legs, reaching its claws up to touch the flame. Spinning in the blackness, the flame slowly fell to meet his paws. As soon as the Everflame touched Whiteclaw, a flash blinded the eyes of all the bears and forced them to turn their heads away. When the light had subsided and they were free to return their eyes to the flame, there was no longer any blackness. They had all returned to the tower of the Everflame, however, the pyre upon which the Everflame rested was no longer there and instead, a statue of the Mighty Whiteclaw had replaced it. The statue held the flame high above its head. The bears searched the floor for the body of Whiteclaw but it had disappeared. Tenturo preceded their questions.

  “The statue you see before you serves as memorial as well as tomb to the mighty Whiteclaw. Pay respect to it the way you would the flame itself, for in my mind they are one in the same.”

  Autumnbreeze walked forward to the statue and kissed its chest gently. “I will never forget you,” she whispered.

  Tenturo moved forward. “Your son will return to you, mother bear. This I promise.” Tenturo swung his head and looked toward Eveneye. “It is time I be gone, King of Bears.”

  “Where will you go?” asked Eveneye.

  “I cannot say.”

  “What should we do, Ancient One?”

  “Continue your path, Eveneye. You know what should be done.” And with those last words, Tenturo spread his enormous wings and took flight into the sky.

  But…I don’t, Eveneye thought to himself. Eveneye stared into the sky and watched as the silhouette of Tenturo became smaller upon the horizon. He watched on until he felt someone sidle up next to him and turned, expecting to see the sweet face of his Goldenheart. Instead, the foul breath of Oaktongue met him.

  “Sad days, my King, sad days indeed. What will happen now...I wonder? To your son? Riverpaw? They have been left all alone.” Eveneye narrowed his vision and his face grew hot as he stared at Oaktongue. Oaktongue could see that Eveneye had understood the implication of his words, but he did not retreat from his game. “So young to be sent away from their home with no one but Whiteclaw to protect them.” Eveneye could not believe that Oaktongue would dare to speak to him this way. He was so furious that he began to bare his teeth. Oaktongue’s eyes glinted with anticipation. He knew he was on the edge, his adrenaline coursed through his veins, and the faintest grin broke across his face as his next sentence crept from his lips. “Who will save them now?”

  As quickly as it had come, Eveneye’s anger abated and was immediately replaced by great and overwhelming fear. They are alone. I have to find them. Eveneye’s memory flashed to Tenturo promising Autumnbreeze that Riverpaw would return. His memory then shot to Evercloud telling him he wasn’t sure if he was equipped to deal with the mission. Then, Tenturo’s last words rang out in Eveneye’s head like a gong. You know what to do. You know what to do.

  Goldenheart had now seen her husband standing with Oaktongue and moved her way closer to see what was going on. Eveneye’s face was vacant as she approached and his mouth was slightly agape. It was as if he had seen a ghost.

  “Even, is everything all right? Honey, what’s wrong?”

  I’ve planted the seed, Oaktongue thought in his malicious, little mind. Time to slip away. Oaktongue casually folded his way back into the crowd as Goldenheart stared into her husband’s face.

  “I have to go to them, Goldie. You heard Tenturo. I have to.”

  “Eveneye, what are you talking about?”

  “Evercloud and Riverpaw. They are out there alone. They have no one to guide them. I have to leave the mountain.”

  The crowd had begun to shake off the day’s events and once again observe their surroundings. The bears noticed the King and his wife, and those close enough began to listen.

  “Even, Tenturo said to continue your path. He said Evercloud and Riverpaw should be regarded as heroes. They’re doing fine.”

  “No, Goldie. I did this to them. Don’t you understand?” Eveneye swallowed hard. “It’s my fault that Whiteclaw is dead.”

  Goldenheart looked sadly upon her husband, knowing how he was tormenting himself.

  “No, Even. No it isn’t.” She shook her head. “We need you here, on the mountain. The Kingdom needs you…I need you.”

  “Our son needs me.”

  “Even, look around you.” Eveneye looked as the bears of his kingdom listened to him and his wife. “Who will lead these bears if you leave? We know there are real dangers out there now. Whom would we turn to?”

  Oaktongue had slinked to the back of the crowd and whispered, so that just those around him could hear. “Firerock could do it.”

  The crowd took his lead. Firerock, the crowd began to murmur. The murmur carried its way over to Eveneye like a wave, crashing upon him in epiphany.

  “Yes, Firerock,” said Eveneye. “You see, Goldie. Firerock would be capable and trustworthy. The bears will listen to him. I have to go.”

  “No, Even. Please listen to me. You don’t even know where they are.”

  “I’ll find them.”

  “What if you find danger?”

  “What if they are in danger?”

  “Even…”

  “I know, Goldie. I know. I don’t want to leave you either. But I can’t stay here knowing what I know.” Eveneye turned to the crowd. “Where is Firerock?”

  “Here, my King.” Firerock emerged from the crowd and walked up to the King.

  “Fire
rock, you have heard our conversation?”

  “Yes, King.”

  “Do you accept this responsibility?”

  “With great honor.”

  “Then I must be on my way.”

  Goldenheart pushed her head into her husband’s chest. “Please don’t do this. Please,” she whispered to him.

  “I have to.”

  And with that, the King of the Bears said his goodbyes and departed from Gray Mountain, for better or for worse.

  Chapter 3: Captain Nesbitt’s Galley

  “I bet I can.”

  “I bet you can’t”

  “Go ahead, shoot it. I’ll prove it.”

  “All right, but you can’t catch it.”

  “Just shoot it already.”

  Tomas drew an arrow from his quiver and placed it in his sleek, green bow. He drew the arrow as far back as he could, pointed it high into the air and sent the arrow screaming into the sky. The very moment the arrow was released, Riverpaw took off into the air after it. In the blink of an eye, both Riverpaw and the arrow were out of sight. Tomas put his hand above his brow and squinted his eyes as he looked into the sky.

  “He can’t get it.”

  “You know, you’d save us a lot of time if you’d just admit that he can catch it,” said Ben Floyd to his younger brother.

  “Ben,” persisted Tomas, “He can’t catch it. I’m telling you.”

  Just as fast as he had disappeared, Riverpaw came plummeting down to the ground with Tomas’ arrow grasped between his teeth. Riverpaw walked over to Tomas and dropped the arrow at his feet. The man looked at the arrow lying on the ground and then looked back up at Riverpaw, astonished.

  “Told you.”

  “Okay,” said Tomas. “But there’s no way you can do it again.” And with no further notice, both the arrow and Riverpaw had again disappeared into the air.

  Evercloud looked at Tomas, shook his head, and looked back at Ben. Ben just shook his head right back.

  “So we must be getting close to Cerano, huh?” asked Evercloud.

  “I think so,” answered Ben. “If I’m right, it should be just over the horizon. I think I can smell the ocean.” Ben shrugged. “Maybe I’m just wishing I were smelling the ocean.”

  “I’ve never seen it before,” said Evercloud.

  “What? The ocean? Well, you’re in for a treat. It’s the most powerful thing you’ll ever see. It has a way of making you feel very, very small.”

  “UN-BE-LIEVABLE. You did it again?” Tomas was astonished.

  “It’s really not as hard as you think.” Riverpaw had once again returned from his foray among the clouds in possession of Tomas’ arrow. “This whole flying thing is pretty easy, really.”

  Riverpaw had been doing a lot of flying since the four travelers had left the White Mountains. He had told the group that it calmed him down; kept his spirits up. Whatever reason he gave them, Riverpaw liked flying, he simply liked it. Evercloud had been worried about Riverpaw ever since his father, Whiteclaw, had lost his life during their battle with the guardians. Riverpaw’s flying seemed to be the thing that was helping him get through it.

  As the day grew older, the travelers trekked ever closer toward the coast of Ephanlarea. It would be along this coast, in the fishing village of Cerano, that Tenturo had told them to seek out Captain Nesbitt. It was this Captain who would be the one who would take them to the land of Felaqua.

  “So, what are we going to say to this Nesbitt when we find him?” asked Tomas. “I mean, are we just going to say ‘excuse me, sir, we were wondering if you could transport us and our flying bear to the land of Felaqua so we can find out how to help our sister, Iolana, who also happens to be an ancient being.’ We’ll have a mob chasing us out of the village with pitchforks.”

  Ben Floyd turned to his younger brother. “Don’t worry, Tomas. While you and our ‘flying bear’ were fooling around, Evercloud and I came up with a very nice plan. Didn’t we, Evercloud?”

  “I believe we did, Ben.”

  Ben nodded contentedly.

  “So, are you going to tell us?” asked Tomas.

  “You and I will go into town and find Nesbitt. Evercloud and Riverpaw will catch up once we’ve gotten a boat. Oh yes, and you’re going to pretend you’re a mute.”

  “I’m a mute?”

  “Yes, Tomas, you’re a mute.” Ben smiled wide, very pleased with himself.

  “Great plan, guys,” said Tomas sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He took an apple from his backpack and bit into it. “Just don’t blame me,” he said with a mouthful of fruit, “when this Nesbitt fellow doesn’t treat us so kindly.”

  “Tenturo said to speak to him freely and openly,” said Evercloud. “It will be fine.”

  The sun was beginning to set, which served the travelers perfectly. They could see the outskirts of the village just upon the horizon and now, the smell of salt was certainly present in the air. With Evercloud and Riverpaw waiting outside the town, night would be the perfect cover and would give Ben and Tomas plenty of time to find Captain Nesbitt and procure a ship. To the north of Cerano was a thicket and Evercloud and Riverpaw left Ben and Tomas to find a place to hide until they were called upon. When they reached the thicket, Riverpaw turned to Evercloud.

  “So, I won’t have to be a mute throughout this ordeal as well, will I?”

  Evercloud chuckled. “No. You won’t. By the time we come into the picture, we’ll have Nesbitt alone and he’ll just have to adjust.”

  “You make it sound so easy,” said Riverpaw.

  “Look, there has to be a reason why, of anyone in Ephanlarea, Tenturo told us to find Captain Nesbitt. I’m assuming this man has dealt with something of this nature before.”

  “I don’t think anyone has dealt with anything of this nature before.”

  Evercloud shrugged. The two of them sat down on the grassy earth and leaned against each other for support. A cool breeze swept through the trees and with no more words, the two travelers from Gray Mountain fell into a deep sleep.

  •••

  The sun began its final descent over the horizon and calmly laid the blanket of night upon the coastal town of Cerano. Ben and Tomas meandered down the cobbled streets of the village, looking for a good place to find information.

  “So, why do I need to pretend that I’m a mute?” asked Tomas.

  “I just thought it would make things easier for the two of us. People tend to pity the disabled. In our situation of little money and great need, pity is a welcome friend.”

  “I don’t know if I’m comfortable with being pitied.”

  “Regardless of how it makes you feel, Tomas, pride is not our friend right now.”

  “I guess that makes sense.”

  “Well that’s not the only reason,” admitted Ben. “You also talk far too much.”

  Tomas backhanded his brother across the chest and Ben laughed.

  “If I stopped talking, what would you have left to laugh at?” joked Tomas.

  “Good point,” smiled Ben. “Now keep an eye open. We need to find a place to gather some information about this Captain Nesbitt.”

  The air began to grow cold as the brothers walked the streets of Cerano. The drop in temperature brought fog rolling in and it soon became hard to see ahead of them.

  “This is just great,” complained Tomas.

  “Keep your ears open, Tomas. If there is a pub nearby we may hear the voices coming from inside.” Ben and Tomas perked their ears and remained silent. Sure enough, a rolling piano could be heard in the distance. They followed the twinkling melody through the fog and soon found themselves standing in front of the door where they would try their fortunes.

  “What luck?” Ben shook his head, smiling, and pointed above his brother’s head at a wooden sign hanging off of a black, steel rod. Tomas squinted his eyes at the wooden sign that was slightly swaying in the night air and began to read aloud.

  “Cap-tain-Nes-bitt’s-Galley.” Tomas looked back at his broth
er and smiled. “Too easy.”

  Ben Floyd slapped his brother on the back and the two men entered Captain Nesbitt’s Galley.

  The room was filled with smoke and laughter that accompanied the hammer and strings of the old piano. The smell of fried fish and vinegar permeated the air. The brothers’ eyes lit up and their mouths watered. It had been some time since they had smelled something so delicious. They quickly scanned their eyes across the room, doing all they could to see through the plumes of tobacco smoke hanging above the patrons in their seats. No one seemed to notice the brothers standing in the doorway, which suited them just fine. Fitting in only helped their ability to gain information. Ben spotted a couple of empty stools at the bar that lined the far wall, and pointed them out to his brother.

  “Remember, Tomas,” began Ben. “You’re a mute.”

  Tomas rolled his eyes and nodded. The two brothers made their way through the tables of dining and drinking fisherman and hoisted themselves up onto their respective stools. The barman saw them take their seats and heaved his barrel chest down to meet them. His white hair and bristling beard introduced a rattling and ale soaked voice.

  “What’ll it be fer ya?”

  As hungry as the two brothers were and as good as the smell of the fried food was, they each knew that the small amount of money they had would need to be saved for a time when it was necessary. Ben had suggested earlier to Evercloud that they might have to use their meager sum to entice Nesbitt should he prove hard to convince. Ben leaned over the bar and tried to speak softly to the barman, not wanting to garner any unnecessary attention.