Everflame: The Complete Series

by Dylan Lee Peters

  “I’m so happy you’re safe.”

  A gigantic weight was released from Eveneye as he held his Goldenheart tightly. There had been times when he wasn’t sure if he would ever see her again. He remembered that and told himself that he wouldn’t let it happen again.

  “I’m sorry, Goldie. I should never have left you. I was wrong not to listen to you.”

  “What happened to you, Even? Where did you go?”

  “I’ll tell you everything, but first, there’s someone you need to meet.”

  Eveneye led his wife into the kitchen of their home, where she was presented with an awkward and somewhat embarrassed young man.

  “This,” said Eveneye, “is Catch.”

  “Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” said Catch, feeling awkward in addressing a bear as ma’am.

  Goldenheart stared blankly, and then, slowly turned her head back to her husband. “You brought home a human boy, Even. You brought home another human boy, Even.”

  “I know, I know, but it’s different this time. Let me explain.”

  With that, Eveneye began to ramble into how he was captured and put in a zoo and how Catch had helped him escape. Catch stayed quiet throughout the whole explanation. He was afraid of Goldenheart, as she didn’t seem very pleased with his presence. He wondered just how well Eveneye knew the temperament of his wife.

  Eveneye’s story continued with returning Brya to the foxes and how the father fox had made Eveneye see where he had gone wrong. Then he told of his conversation with Catch and the resurrection of the Plan for Peace. This was the point where Goldenheart would not listen any longer.

  “Even, this is no different than last time at all.” Goldenheart turned to Catch. “I’m sorry, young man, but the bear that brought you to this mountain has lost his mind.”

  “Goldie,” said Eveneye with a coaxing tone. “He saved me and he knows everything.”

  “Everything, Even. I can’t even begin to deal with this right now. You have no idea what has gone on in your absence.”

  “Well, tell me, Goldie. I’ll fix it. Whatever the problem is, I’ll take care of it.”

  “You can’t fix it, Eveneye,” and now Goldenheart’s voice began to shake. “Firerock and Oaktongue are dead…as well as many others.”

  Eveneye’s jaw dropped in shock. “What? How? What happened? Tell me.”

  So Goldenheart set to the task of telling Eveneye everything that had happened in his absence. There were no words to express the level of guilt he felt as the telling unfolded, and Goldenheart didn’t stop with merely the events of the mountain. She made quick work of Evercloud and Riverpaw’s story as well. Eveneye felt like an idiot, having left the mountain in search of his son, only to find that he had returned in his absence. Goldenheart explained the Farsiders and how Evercloud had killed the Farsider that was trapped in the mountain arena.

  “I am so sorry, my love,” said Eveneye. “I have failed you as a king and as a husband. Can you ever forgive me?”

  Goldenheart’s harsh demeanor had melted away as she had told her story. She unloaded it like a burden and felt better for it. “Of course I forgive you, Even. I’m just so happy that you’re safe.” Goldenheart embraced her husband and sighed deeply. “It’s going to be like this from here on out, isn’t it?”

  Eveneye looked at his wife with sadness in his eyes. “We’ve lost that innocence forever, Goldie. It’s a different world that we live in now. These won’t be the last of our hard times.”

  “We’ll get through it,” Goldenheart nodded. “You should have seen Evercloud, Even. He’s not a little boy anymore. There is a fire within him.”

  “I should have known, Goldie. I should have heeded the lessons of the Elders. Of all my foolishness, thinking that their stories were just stories might be my greatest failure.”

  “What do you mean, Even? What stories from the Elders are you talking about?”

  Eveneye pursed his lips and looked at both Goldenheart and Catch with a furrowed brow.

  “What I am about to tell you can never be repeated to anyone. That goes for both of you.”

  “You have my word,” said Catch.

  “Goldie, even Autumn can’t know, okay.”

  “Okay, Even.” Goldenheart was worried.

  “There are stories from the Elders that are only passed down to the Kings of Gray Mountain. They are in a tome that is sealed away in the castle, in a room only Kings may enter. Should anyone know that I shared this information, I would be forced to forfeit the Kingdom.”

  “Don’t say it, Even.” Goldenheart turned away. “I don’t need to know. Not at that risk. You shouldn’t take such risk with this boy either.”

  “Goldie,” continued Eveneye. “We can’t do this alone anymore. We need Catch. If I keep my throne, but the world suffers, than what was it worth? We have to trust each other?” Eveneye touched his wife’s shoulder. “I’m scared too.” Goldenheart turned back to Eveneye and Catch and nodded to her husband in understanding. Eveneye continued his story. “We have all been told that it was Strongback who first lit the Everflame, and that it burns eternal because of the enduring spirit of the bears and of this mountain.” Eveneye took a deep breath. “That is a lie. Strongback deserves credit for the Everflame, but he did not ignite it, and it is not our enduring spirit that keeps it burning. In the real story, passed down by the Elders, it details that Strongback believed in special mental abilities that were dormant in every living creature. The story tells that Strongback spent his life experimenting with these abilities. In this particular tale, it was Strongback’s belief that he could speak to other creatures with his mind that was the key. It is said that Strongback traveled to many different lands and spent much time exploring this ability. It also said that Strongback, eventually, became very good at it, and one day, while deep in meditation, he contacted a being he had never spoken with before. It said that he contacted the Spirit of the Earth.”

  “That is absurd,” said Goldenheart.

  “Is it?” asked Eveneye. “Then you explain how it is that we possessed a flame that burned eternally?”

  Eveneye’s odd use of the past tense was not lost on Goldenheart.

  “Eveneye, why did you just say possessed?”

  “Please, Goldie. Let me finish the story. It said that Strongback told the Spirit of the Earth of all the injustice and evil that was upon the earth and how the bears were losing hope that the earth would ever be a harmonious place again. The Spirit of the Earth asked Strongback to open his eyes, and when he did, there was a flame that burned brightly before him. He was able to touch it and he brought it back to the mountain and set it upon a pyre. He called it the Everflame and said that it would protect the mountain, and from the time of Strongback, until recently, the Everflame had protected the mountain. I lost us that protection. I wanted, so badly, to give Evercloud a special gift; something wonderful.”

  “Even, what did you do?” said Goldenheart, wide-eyed.

  “I had our finest weapon maker use the Everflame to make Evercloud’s claw. I didn’t think it would harm it in any way. I thought I would just be using its heat. But as the flame began to soften the metal, it also became part of the metal. When the weapon maker was finished with the claw, the Everflame was extinguished. It just disappeared. I couldn’t believe it. I panicked. I made the weapon maker swear, under penalty of death, to tell no one. I also made it his charge to set a fire atop the Everflame’s pyre and make sure that it was relit whenever it died out. The true Everflame is now a part of Evercloud’s golden claw and the day that he left the mountain…so did the flame.” Eveneye dropped his head in shame.

  “I don’t know what to say,” said Goldenheart.

  “I’m so sorry,” said Eveneye. “I didn’t know…I didn’t know.”

  “Even, that weapon killed a Farsider. Tenturo said that no weapon has ever been able to kill a Farsider. Do you think…it could kill the Tyrant?”

  “I don’t know, Goldie. Maybe?”

 
; “We need to give Evercloud all the help we can. He is now the light of Gray Mountain. He carries the Everflame with him. He is our hope.”

  “The Kingdom needs to know that I have returned. I need to restore the Plan for Peace, not for me, but for Evercloud.”

  “Okay, Even, I’m behind you. I always have been.”

  “No. We are side by side, and we always will be.”

  •••

  Eveneye and Catch stood on the dark side of a closed gate that would soon open to the flood of light, the roar of a kingdom and a path that could change the fate of their worlds.

  “Are you ready for this?” asked Eveneye.

  “I didn’t think that anyone was ever ready for these sort of things.”

  Eveneye chuckled lightly.

  “Just follow my lead. You’ll do fine. Have you chosen a name?”

  “Yes,” answered Catch. “I chose a name that would be normal in the human world, but should also have some familiarity for Gray Mountain. I’ve used the names of yourself, your wife, and your son…if it’s okay.”

  “What have you chosen?” asked Eveneye.

  “Steven Everheart.”

  Eveneye nodded his head while pondering the name. “That name is an honor to us. I believe it will work nicely. But always remember why you chose that name. Keep the ideals of that name in your head, in all the decisions you make. We are both about to take a very difficult path.”

  “I understand, and I will.”

  Eveneye turned and motioned for the gate to be opened. It rose slowly and the light of the arena crawled across their bodies from foot to head.

  “Follow me, Steven Everheart. Today is a day for new beginnings.”

  Chapter 32: The Weight of Uncertainty

  Ben Floyd had always been a quiet man. He had always been polite, reserved, mannered, and just. His brother Tomas had looked up to him his entire life. He was the standard to which Tomas attempted to adhere to. Deep inside though, Tomas knew that he was not half the man that Ben was, and never would be.

  In the moments after finding the cure to Iolana’s curse, Tomas had tried to think of any way he could that would save his skin. Surviving had been instinctual. He had brought the issue up to his brother, hoping that Ben had already somehow figured out how to save their necks, only to find out that Ben had only been concerned with saving Tomas’ life.

  So, the fact that Ben had been even quieter and more reserved since that brief moment weighed upon Tomas like an unbearable load. Every step they moved further into their quest felt to Tomas like another step closer to his brother’s execution. There were two or three times when Tomas’ face had been wet with sorrow as his companions slept around him. He had lost his mother, he had lost his father, his sister was not his own and now this. Tomas Floyd was beginning to understand what tragedy was.

  Ben was finding it difficult to look at the others in the eyes. He wanted, so badly, to stay strong, but what man feels strength as he hunts his own demise? Every time he looked at his friends and family only served to damage the mask that he wore. He wanted them to concentrate on the objective, not him, never him. It had been rather quick that Ben had realized that Iolana would not kill him willingly. She was not violent in nature. She would reject the notion immediately. He knew that he would have to force her hand, and he knew that it would have to be quite literally. The thought made him queasy. He was having nightmares about it, forcing Iolana to take hold of a knife or sword, making sure that she gripped it tight, and then, thrusting it into himself. The nightmares were coming to him nightly, mixed intermittently with nightmares of Sudali. Ben could not move his mind past the disgusting, little monk. How had such an evil, little hermit known a secret even the Ancients didn’t know? How was it possible? Where did he get his knowledge? Was his information even correct? Ben knew that Tenturo could tell if someone was lying, but just because Sudali believed his own words, didn’t make them true. Ben looked down at his hands.

  What if I die for nothing?

  The sky was just beginning to show signs of the morning. Ben was the only one who was awake. The group had flown to what they hoped would be a safer location. They had inspected the area thoroughly, and then, gone to sleep. Ben sat alone amongst them all, staring into the distance.

  The wind had picked up as the morning came in and it blew through the fur on Tenturo’s back. He stirred enough to open his eyes and saw Ben, sitting and staring off, trying to see into his future. Tenturo stood slowly, as not to wake the others. Ben caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see the griffin, silently signaling him to follow. The two of them walked away from their slumbering companions and when they had reached a safe distance, Tenturo spoke.

  “Your death weighs heavily upon you, Ben. Yet no one has sealed your fate.”

  “It is inevitable, Tenturo. I wouldn’t allow anyone to take my place in this.”

  “So you believe Sudali’s words?”

  “What choice is there? I have no proof, either way. I do wonder from where he derived his information though.”

  “That has weighed on my mind as well,” said Tenturo. “Something that has been bothering me quite a bit lately is that I know far less than I am comfortable with. I know that this is something every being must deal with…however, for obvious reasons, I judge myself differently.”

  “It angers me that Sudali relished this irony. In the end, Sudali still received his test subject.”

  “If we must loose you, then that day will be a sad one, Ben, but I am not convinced of its necessity.”

  “What can I do, Tenturo?”

  “Wait.”

  “And if harm comes to Iolana while I wait?”

  “The Tyrant cannot hurt Iolana. He has never been powerful enough for that. That is why he could only hide us away.”

  “I mean no disrespect, Tenturo, but you said it yourself. You know less than you would like to. What if the Tyrant has returned because he has figured out how to hurt the Ancients?” Tenturo could not respond. Ben was right. Tenturo’s frustration was mounting after being confronted with another puzzle he could not master, but Ben did not stay silent. “And what of Evercloud? Is he human…or is he Densa? Are we all just waiting to find out if he is our savior or our demise?”

  “I don’t know, Ben?” snapped Tenturo. “After last night, I’m beginning to believe the worst.”

  “Is that so?” Ben and Tenturo spun around to see Evercloud glaring at them. “What exactly is the worst, Tenturo?”

  “You are beginning to worry me, Evercloud. That is all.”

  “Beginning?” Evercloud was angry and he could not hide it. “Tenturo, it called me Densa. It knew me. It was just last night that you called me Densa. I think we are far past beginning to worry.”

  “What?” asked Ben. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t, Evercloud.”

  “Why, Tenturo? They should all know. The Farsider called me Densa, Ben. It recognized me before I killed it.”

  “You don’t know that, Evercloud!” Now Tenturo’s anger was showing. “You have no idea what you are talking about. You don’t know Densa!”

  “I AM DENSA!!” Spit flew from Evercloud’s mouth as he yelled. Everyone was now awake and staring at Evercloud in shock.

  “You don’t remember,” said Tenturo more calmly. “You don’t know.”

  Evercloud was breathing heavily. His face had been contorted with wrath, but was now beginning to give way to the pains of a tortured soul. His eyes were red and glassy, and his voice cracked in anguish.

  “I can feel the darkness in me, Tenturo. It was screaming for me to kill those men last night and I gave in to it because I couldn’t stand it anymore. I can’t stand it!”

  Tenturo crept closer to Evercloud and whispered to him. “Stay with us, Evercloud. Stay with us. Everyone has darkness within. It does not make you. You are stronger than that. I know you are.”

  “I won’t wait any longer…I’m going to Hammlin, now and
without rest, alone if I must.”

  Riverpaw walked up to Evercloud. “We’ll stay with you…but you have to stay with us.”

  Evercloud nodded and the travelers continued on to Hammlin.

  Chapter 33: The Slip

  “Is this what every village in Ephanlarea looks like? Will Hammlin even be there when we arrive?”

  Iolana and Edgar stood amid the wreckage of another village that had been consumed by fire. There were no survivors, or at least none to be seen. The remainder of small fires, crackling throughout the village, was all that could be heard. The world was black, ashen and desolate.

  “This has to be the work of Densa,” said Edgar. “This is why it was so important for me to have killed those men. To stop them from returning the Ancient Evils to power.”

  “I’m not familiar with the Ancient Evils, Edgar. Maybe I just don’t remember. Densa is one of these Evils?”

  “Yes, he is. Those men had already released one when I had found them. They must have released Densa as well.”

  Iolana was worried. “The Holy can defeat them, right?”

  “Of course. Well, I think so. He may be trying to save them from being evil. He may be trying to change them.”

  “What? Why? Edgar, what are you talking about?”

  “Nothing. I’m not really sure. The Holy will tell us when we reach Hammlin.”

  Iolana was very confused. So many different ideas were flying through her head. She was trying desperately to connect the dots between everything. It was as if there was a foggy window she couldn’t see through. All she had to do was raise her hand to wipe away the condensation, but somehow she couldn’t. Her mind was struggling and straining, and then suddenly…

  “Edgar?”

  Edgar looked up from the wreckage he surveyed and saw tears beginning to fall down Iolana’s face.

  “Iolana, what’s–”

  “Am I an Ancient Evil? Am I Chera?” Edgar was floored and did not know what to do. The color drained from his already pale face. He had said too much and Iolana had figured him out. “You said Densa was an Ancient Evil, and Densa is in that journal, and Densa is here, now, burning villages. Chera was in that journal, and she looks exactly like me, and uses my name, and I can’t remember anything. You said the Holy is trying to save the Ancient Evils. Edgar…” Iolana was hysterical. “I don’t want to be Chera. I don’t want that. Please. Please, Edgar. Tell me I’m wrong! Tell me I’m wrong!”