Everflame: The Complete Series

by Dylan Lee Peters

  “I suppose not.”

  Iolana stood up and began to get ready for another day of walking, and the Messenger followed suit. As soon as they had stretched their muscles and eaten a bit of bread they had packed away, they continued their trek.

  “You should continue reading from the journal,” said the Messenger.

  Iolana pulled the journal out and opened it up to where she had left off.

  Entry 7

  Today has been horrible. Charles told me today that we shouldn’t be together anymore. I asked him why and he wouldn’t tell me. I wouldn’t let the issue go, and finally, he gave in. He eventually told me that Densa had threatened him. Charles said that Densa threatened to kill him if he ever saw me again. Charles wasn’t even sure how Densa knew me, but was shaken nonetheless.

  I had no choice but to tell Charles the truth. I told him who I really was. He did not take it well. He felt betrayed and I could not really blame him. When I started this whole thing, I never really thought how it might affect those around me, but it most certainly has. I convinced Charles that I truly did love him and he told me that he felt the same way about me. I promised him that I would fix the problem with Densa and everything would be all right. So I left Charles, and went straight to Densa. That did not go well.

  Densa told me that he was the one who loved me. He said that he had always loved me, that it was what had driven him to accompany me on my adventure. He said he wouldn’t tolerate my relationship with Charles. He said that I deserved better. He wanted to have me for himself.

  I do not love Densa. I told him that and he was not happy. He told me that he would do anything to change my mind. He said he would do whatever he had to do to prove the value of his love. I told him that if he really loved me, he would leave Charles alone. Densa promised that he would, but I don’t feel that he was being genuine with me. I’m afraid of what Densa may do. He is very powerful.

  –Chera

  “I feel like we were meant to find this journal,” said the Messenger, “but I just don’t know what we’re supposed to be learning from it.”

  “Maybe we need to get to the end of it to know the answer to that question,” guessed Iolana. “We’ve almost finished the whole thing. It’s a very short journal. There are a lot of blank pages in the back.”

  “That means that something stopped her from continuing, and from the look of the ruins we found the journal in, I’d say what stopped the writing happened in that tower. Keep reading, Iolana. We need to know how this ends.”

  Entry 8

  Densa has kept his promise, and to this point, has left Charles alone. He has even gone as far as to extend a peace offering; an invitation to a ball he is throwing in his palace tower. He said he wanted me to attend because he has a surprise for me. I asked if this invitation was only for myself, and he said it would be fine if Charles attended.

  I’m afraid of Densa’s surprise. I’ve given a lot of thought to this situation, and I think that I will allow Densa to read my journal. I will bring it with me to the ball. After he reads it, he will truly see how I feel about Charles. If he hasn’t given up his romantic pursuit already, reading this journal will have to bring him to his senses.

  -Chera

  “That’s it,” said Iolana. “That’s the end. I think you were right, Murray. I think the ruins we were standing in were the aftermath of that ball. Whatever happened there stopped Chera from writing, and possibly destroyed much more than that.” Iolana stopped and brought her hand to her mouth. “Murray, what if Chera died that night?”

  The Messenger turned and looked at Iolana. He didn’t quite know how to respond.

  “Maybe it will be revealed to us in Hammlin. There is obviously more to this story than we know. Maybe the Holy has something larger planned for us and everything will make sense after he reveals it to us. I think that we should keep our faith in him and everything will turn out fine. After all, aren’t we just a part of his plan for the world?”

  “I bet you’re right, Murray.” Iolana smiled. “I think that everything will turn out fine.”

  The two travelers continued along the path to Hammlin, believing that they were being watched and believing that they were being followed, but never knowing that it was not by whom they thought it was.

  Chapter 22: Father

  The Everflame burned brightly as the sun peered over the horizon. A mist hung over Gray Mountain as bears met each other in caves and in the road to discuss the events of the previous night. No one had really slept but a few hours, the mountain had been shaken. Firerock was dead. Oaktongue was dead. They had been exposed as traitors to the throne and paid a penalty most dear. The King, Eveneye, was still missing, and the vile, black beast still roamed the floor of the arena.

  Goldenheart sat in the King’s chair and looked out over the court. Autumnbreeze sat at her side as the court filled with bears, standing shoulder to shoulder. Goldenheart had called for soldiers of the Kingdom to be present at sunrise and none had disobeyed her call. Bears spilled out of the court, into the halls of the castle, and even outside of the castle itself. Goldenheart saw no point in waiting any longer to begin speaking.

  “I am well aware that every bear in attendance cannot fit into this court. I appreciate everyone who has come to the castle this morning. It will be those of you in this room, however, that hold the greatest responsibility. Share what you are told here with every bear you see, for today will mark a change in the way we act and in the way we think. We have a common enemy, and this enemy cannot be beaten with spears and it cannot be kept out with walls. We do not know what lurks in our arena, but we can safely assume that it was brought on us by the Tyrant. So throw down your spears and take off your armor, it is time that we begin the battle with our minds, and we must band together in doing so, for it is only together that we will defeat the Tyrant.

  “Today, I will ask you to choose between two paths. You are free to choose whichever one you like. You know your own strengths more than I do, and I believe that we are only at our full strength when everyone does what they are best at. The first option will be for you to stay upon Gray Mountain and help to fortify our home from intruders. We cannot build giant walls that feign to stop unstoppable forces. We need to use intelligence and logic to reach our goals. If we cannot stop a force, then we must prevent ourselves from being its target. We will tear down that monstrosity of a wall, and instead, camouflage our homes and places where we conduct our work. We shall use the arena as a trap for unwanted visitors. We will teach our people to become stealthy; so much a part of this mountain that the mountain itself will not know of our presence. The Tyrant may be able to win against a bear, but we shall see if he can win against a mountain.

  “If you so choose, the second option will be for you to go out into the world and share what you know with all Tyrant-fearing creatures of Ephanlarea. We shall need all the help that we can get. Tell them who we are, tell them what we do, and tell them what we shall become. Tell them of our history and tell them of our future. Tell them of our King, so that they may help to return him to us. Tell them of the Sons of Gray Mountain and their quest, so should they ever cross their paths, our sons will know that their Kingdom is proud of them, and that their mothers love them.”

  “Why don’t you tell them yourselves?” came a call from the crowd.

  Goldenheart looked over the crowd, shocked at the outburst, and found a spot where the crowd was parting. Suddenly, cheers began to come from all of the soldiers as recognition took hold of them. Goldenheart and Autumnbreeze continued to scan the crowd, confused by what was going on, and then they saw them emerging from the crowd. Evercloud and Riverpaw ran up the steps of the King’s courtroom to meet their mothers as they rose from their seats. The mothers embraced their sons with tears in their eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” said Riverpaw. “I’m sorry about Dad. I couldn’t stop him. I tried, he just–”

  Autumnbreeze stopped her son. “It’s okay. I don’t blame you, h
oney. It’s not your fault.” Autumnbreeze began to cry as she spoke to her son. He had grown in his absence, and as she looked into his eyes, she saw the eyes of his father. Autumn hugged her son closer to her and whispered to him. “Your father lives in you now. Every time I look at you, I know he’s right here with us.”

  Riverpaw whispered back to his mother. “I just wanted him to be proud of me. I wanted everyone to be proud of me.”

  “Look at them,” said Autumnbreeze to her son as she nodded her head to the room of bears. “They all became soldiers because of you. They all look up to you. They are proud of you, I am proud of you and I know that your father is watching you from somewhere and he is proud of you. Stand tall.”

  Goldenheart turned to the crowd. “For now, return to your families and rejoice. The Sons of Gray Mountain have returned!”

  The crowd roared with cheers and began to file out of the King’s courtroom, spreading the word as they left.

  “We are so proud of you both,” added Goldenheart as she held her own son so tight that Evercloud thought he may burst. “There is so much to speak about. So much has happened since the two of you have left. We need to go somewhere more private to discuss things.”

  “There are some introductions to be gone through before we discuss anything,” said Evercloud. “We are not traveling alone. Our companions are waiting outside of the castle. We didn’t know exactly how they would be received.”

  “All right,” said Goldenheart. “What if we use the room where your father meets with his advisors?”

  “I don’t think everyone will fit,” said Riverpaw.

  “Tenturo is with you,” guessed Autumnbreeze.

  Riverpaw nodded. “As well as others.”

  “We should go to the Everflame,” said Autumnbreeze. “Riverpaw should see what Tenturo has done for his father.”

  “Yes,” said Goldenheart. “Get your companions. We’ll meet in the tower.”

  •••

  The brothers Floyd and Captain Nesbitt, upon the back of Tenturo, and Evercloud, upon the back of Riverpaw, flew to the top of the tower and landed gently in the room of the Everflame. Both Goldenheart and Autumnbreeze stood in amazement.

  “You can fly?” Autumn said to her son, wide-eyed.

  “Thanks to Tenturo,” replied Riverpaw. “Evercloud has some new tricks as well.”

  “We’ll explain when we tell the whole story,” said Evercloud, turning to his mother. “But first, the introductions. You’ve already met Tenturo.” The female bears nodded. “These two are the brothers Floyd, Ben and Tomas.”

  “A pleasure to meet you,” said Tomas.

  “My pleasure as well,” added Ben as both men bowed to the bears. “You can consider the both of us at the service of you and your kingdom.”

  Goldenheart and Autumnbreeze were completely taken aback.

  “Thank you, sirs,” said Goldenheart. “Until today, we were unaware that men such as yourselves existed. It gives us great hope to know that you do.”

  “And this,” continued Evercloud, “is Captain Charles Nesbitt.”

  “At your service,” said the Captain as he took his bow.

  “Our pleasure, Captain,” said Goldenheart.

  Suddenly, everyone noticed what sounded like a heavy sigh, and they turned to see that Riverpaw had found his father’s memorial. He stood with his head against the statue and tears in his eyes. His mother walked over to him and pressed herself against him.

  “I swore to him I would return to the mountain, so that I could make sure this very thing was done…and now…now I can’t stand to look at it.”

  “Your father was always proud of you, Riverpaw,” said Autumn. “He would want us to be strong. It took me time to realize that, but it is true.”

  Everyone stood in silence as Riverpaw and Autumnbreeze had their moment of mourning. Tomas looked up at the Everflame and remembered how Whiteclaw had spoken of it. He watched it burn and felt his own eyes grow damp.

  If you are out there…somewhere, Whiteclaw. I swear to you, to the flame and to myself, that I will do everything in my power to see this quest to the end.

  Soon, Riverpaw and Autumnbreeze returned to the group.

  “Tell us your story,” said Autumn. “We want to hear all of it.”

  “Where to begin?” said Evercloud.

  “From the beginning,” said Goldenheart. “We need to hear everything.”

  “You know,” said Evercloud. “I don’t know why I’m only noticing this now, but where is father?”

  Goldenheart sighed. “We don’t know right now, Evercloud. He left the mountain days ago to search for you.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a long story. Tell your story, and afterward, your aunt and I will tell ours.”

  So everyone sat down upon the floor and Evercloud and Riverpaw began to tell their tale to their mothers, beginning at buffalo hunting with Whiteclaw. They continued on for what must have been hours. Ben and Tomas chimed in when they entered the story with bits of their own information, and Tenturo and Captain Nesbitt did the same when the times were appropriate. Goldenheart and Autumnbreeze were mesmerized. They laughed at points in the story, were held in suspense during others, and were even brought to tears. The travelers spun their epic as the sun climbed across the sky and then dove back to the horizon, making way for twilight. The sky began to lose its light as the story came to an end, leaving the tropical coast of Felaqua behind for the wooded comforts of Gray Mountain.

  “So we’re back here,” said Evercloud, “hoping there are more clues to follow.”

  “Amazing,” said Goldenheart. “If I had known what you would face before you left, I never would have let you go.”

  “Be glad you did though,” said Tenturo. “I certainly am.”

  “Ok,” said Evercloud curtly. “Now tell us what has happened here.”

  “Hold on,” interjected Riverpaw. “We’ve been up here for hours. I’m starving. Can we eat?”

  Immediately, everyone noticed their growling stomachs and decided that a trip to the dining hall was in order. Autumnbreeze began to lead everyone down the tower stairs and Evercloud climbed atop Tenturo so that he could direct him to a more sizeable entrance to the dining hall.

  Once everyone had gathered again, Goldenheart had the cooks prepare a feast. Before the travelers knew it, they were being presented with more sumptuous cuisine than they had seen in some time, or in the case of the Floyds, ever. Riverpaw sat down next to Tomas and slapped a bear-sized mug of ale down upon the table.

  “What’s that?” asked Tomas.

  “Ale,” smiled Riverpaw.

  Tomas’ eyes grew large. “Bear ale?” Riverpaw nodded. Tomas grabbed the mug with both hands and heaved it up to his lips, tipping the frothy liquid into his mouth. He brought the mug back down to the table and looked at Riverpaw as if he were a child who had just been given his first taste of candy. “It’s incredible,” he breathed.

  “I know.”

  “And really strong.”

  “Yep.”

  “Don’t drink too much of that, Tomas,” said Ben from across the table. “You’re a fool when you’re drunk.”

  “You’re a fool when you’re drunk,” mocked Tomas with a scowl on his face. “Leave me alone.”

  Evercloud was growing testy and had waited long enough to find out what happened to his father.

  “Okay. Now tell me what’s happened here, and why father left.”

  So everyone grew silent, Tomas and Riverpaw hugged their mugs of ale, and Goldenheart related the dramatic sequence of events that had transpired upon the mountain. Evercloud and Riverpaw could not believe what they were hearing as Goldenheart told her story, and they were well into the night before she finally brought it to an end.

  “So you’re telling me that there’s a Farsider sealed in the arena?” asked Evercloud.

  “A what?” asked Goldenheart.

  “A Farsider. Remember our story, the part with Tenturo, and th
e moon and Densa?”

  The travelers had agreed, before arriving at Gray Mountain, that they would omit any information about the possibility of Evercloud being Densa. Evercloud shot Riverpaw a furtive glance to make sure that he remembered that.

  “Oh, yes,” said Goldenheart. “I don’t know why that didn’t immediately occur to me when you were telling the story. It must be a Farsider.”

  “Tenturo. You can kill it?” asked Evercloud.

  “I can dispose of it, yes.”

  “Let’s go,” prompted Evercloud. “I don’t like knowing that one of those things is on my mountain.”

  “We should wait for the light,” said Tenturo. “It is unable to escape, correct?”

  “Yes,” answered Goldenheart. “It has been trapped in the arena for days.”

  “Why would we wait, Tenturo?” Evercloud was obviously bothered by Tenturo’s suggestion and what seemed to Evercloud like complacence.

  “Evercloud, I have been around this earth beyond measure of time, and I still see things that amaze me everywhere. I want time to inspect this creature. It is odd that a Farsider with such similarities to a bear would target this mountain. Farsiders were never thinking creatures, they tended to attack humans because they were out in the open and made themselves so visible. I want to be sure of what we’re dealing with. Let us have rest and deal with this issue in the morning.”

  “What exactly are you saying, Tenturo?” Evercloud was growing frantic. “Are you saying it is possible that the creature trapped in the arena might be my father?”

  “I’m saying that I don’t know, Evercloud. I’m saying that I will deal with it in the morning.”

  Evercloud turned away from Tenturo and shook his head.

  “Sweetheart,” added Goldenheart. “I think Tenturo is right. It’s been a very long day and we’ve all been given a lot of information to process. Let’s go to bed. I’ll have mattresses brought in and we’ll just sleep here.”

  “Fine,” said Evercloud and picked at the remaining food upon his plate.

  •••

  Evercloud barely blinked as he laid in the darkness of the dining hall. He could not get the possibility that his father had been turned into some terrible creature out of his mind. I have to know, he thought. I have to see it.