by Gerard Bond
Luthein made his way to the royal halls with the book in hand, he didn’t even separate the loose pages from where they had been hidden for who knew how many centuries? It had been by chance that they had been found. Upon approaching the guards, he spoke of his urgency in needing to speak to the King and he was ushered in almost immediately.
King Elyssur was busy dealing with matters of state discussing with and giving orders to a number of subordinates but as Luthein approached he waved them away to come back another time. He knew that for Luthein to come unannounced meant he had serious news.
“Come Luthein, sit down and confer with me.”
Luthein sat and looked a little tense. The King was surprised to see him like this.
“Tell me what you have found.” Luthein went to speak but thought better of it.
“I think it’s best if you read this your highness. It tells the story better than I could.”
He held the book open and the loose pages were exposed for the King to take. King Elyssur sat back, opened them and began reading the old elven tongue carefully.
He was a bit rusty but he didn’t miss any of the meaning. As he read he would pause from time to time and his eyes would widen. Then he would look to Luthein who could only nod in confirmation. Finally he finished and looked up but he didn’t look at anything in particular. Instead he slowly rose and walked out to the balcony near him and stood there for a while looking out over his domain.
Eventually he came back inside and sat down again looking at Luthein.
“You are not to tell Wollfen of this or any of his comrades either for that matter. None of them are to know what is written in this prophecy do you understand?” Luthein protested.
“But my King, this speaks of the demise of our kind and it is to be at the hand of a great magic wielding human. Surely that is Wollfen himself?” The King shook his head.
“No Luthein, it cannot be him and as such we cannot divulge this knowledge to him for it may stop him from doing what is necessary in saving this world. Do not worry. Wollfen is an agent of Lord Vincent and has the best interests of all races at heart. He cannot be the one spoken of in this prophecy.”
King Elyssur knew better though, but he would not divulge what he knew to Luthein. He folded the pages back up and replaced them from whence they came and looked at Luthein once more.
“No one is to know of the existence of these pages until the time is right. I order you to place them in hiding until I give you a direct instruction to bring them forth once more, do you understand?” Luthein nodded.
“Thy will be done your highness.”
He bowed as he took the book and retreated once more. The King turned back to the outside balcony but didn’t get up. All of a sudden he felt drained and lost.
The following week saw Wollfen and Dark return to Port Volarus and meet up with their companions once more. They did lunch together and chatted about the serenity of their time alone in the woods high up on that mountain. Loranda kept badgering them for explicit details of what they got up to all alone in that cabin.
All Dark would tell her was they talked, cuddled and shared some very special moments. Loranda wasn’t impressed, she had really hoped to get some gratuitous details. Wollfen addressed them all.
“I want you all to know that even though all of us have been through so much in the past eight months that we have yet to face our biggest challenges.” They took greater note when he said that. “Also, over the coming weeks we will be facing forces like none you have ever seen. We mean to go to Isogorr and take on the Queen of the sorcs. She has a thousand sorcs behind her and will not be easy to defeat. Even if we do win out over her, we will be facing even greater challenges after that. So in saying so I must ask each and every one of you to decide for yourselves if you are in on this or if you wish to walk away. I will not hold it against you if you decide to do so. I, too, have had a lot of second thoughts on this over the last couple of days.”
He looked around at them and waited. All looked resolute and ready.
“Thank you. I cannot demand you come with me or engage in what I am about to embark on, but the fact that you are all with me speaks volumes of your dedication. I could not ask for better friends.”
They nodded or smiled at him. The group understood this was the moment they had to stick together and see it out to the last, the final scenes of this war were about to be played out.
Wollfen stood and addressed them again,
“Okay, I will tell you that I want all four of you to come with me to Isogorr to take on the Queen. Dark, can you tell me if Vaughn is going to be in on this? I haven’t seen him of late?”
“I will find him and see, but knowing him, he will probably come along.”
“No, I want to keep him back for now. I think he will prove more valuable when we go to Kassandrea afterward. I don’t know why but I feel it.” Dark nodded.
“Alright, I’ll let him know he has to be prepared at short notice to move out.”
“Alright people, time is growing short, make preparations for leaving on the morn, for then we all travel to the enchanted lands.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ISOGORR
All five of them appeared in the library of the elven palace and Luthein looked up to see who had disturbed him. He had been expecting Wollfen’s return soon but the thought had slipped his mind with all of his study. Wollfen turned to him and greeted the elf.
“Hello Luthein it is good to see you again even if it has only been a week.”
Luthein for his part was more reserved than usual, he still had his mind on the readings of the prophecy he had found.
“Good day Wollfen, I hope you had a pleasant trip. If you wish to announce your presence to the King you may take my attendant here.”
He pointed to the elf standing nearby and returned to his books. Wollfen was a little nonplussed by his reaction and decided that all this hard work and stress of the coming battles might be getting to the elf.
In the main hall next to the throne room Wollfen was ushered to the King who greeted him with the normal formalities and he didn’t waste any time getting down to business.
“My personnel are prepared to move off when you are. I have a list here of our six best magic users that can support you. They are at your disposal for this mission. If you need anything else you need only ask.” Wollfen didn’t think he did.
“I am hoping I won’t need to use any of them. If I can talk to Drexus and get her to return here willingly, then no one need take extreme action.” The King could see Wollfen was still hoping to save her.
“Mark my words Aerassis, if she gets even an inkling of what our true intentions are, she will bring her full energies to bear on you and your friends. If you have the opportunity to strike then take it, we do not have the time or the luxury of second guessing her. Too much rides on this.”
“If she understands our intentions are to release Vincent as well I don’t see a problem.” The King had to be patient but he did explain his position.
“I am of the belief we should err on the side of caution. We do not know for a fact that her intention is to release Lord Vincent or to allow access for the entity to get to him. I think it be true if you look at it impartially that you will agree with me.” Wollfen gave a little sigh.
“I know what you say is true, but I cannot help but feel responsible for where she is now.”
“We are both responsible Aerassis. Both of us decided that the crystals were more trouble than they are worth and as such were to be destroyed. That same stance still holds true and when this is over what crystals are left will be disposed of in a safe manner.” Wollfen bowed his head.
“Yes my lord, you are right. I will be vigilant in my dealings with Drexus. I would like to leave the departure until this time tomorrow to confer with all the people that will be traveling there to get everyone familiarized with each other and know what each of their roles will be.”
“Very well.�
� Wollfen bowed and leading the others who had bowed as well, left the hall.
Outside Dark came up to Wollfen and tugged on his sleeve.
“What was that name that he called you? Aerassis was it? Why did he call you that?” Wollfen smiled.
“Many years ago they decided I was too much like an elf to be running around with a pitiful human name so they gave me Aerassis Carnesere as a name I could call my own. I like to use it when I want to feel sophisticated,” he winked. Dark smiled back.
“Well my wolfy Aerassis, let’s hope your hairy Carnesere ass is up to the task.”
Wollfen gave her a dim expression for that comment. Madeira was with the girls peering over the edge of the walkway and making appreciative noises. Wollfen noticed they were all still wearing their boots. A number of elves walking by were not impressed.
“Girls, you need to take your boots off. We don’t want to upset the natives, anyway, you will find the experience interesting,” turning to Dark he commented, “And you can show off your pretty black painted toenails my dear.”
“Just don’t go stomping on them with those boots of yours you big lummox.” Dark replied. He growled at her.
Wollfen went back inside and approached the King’s adjutant.
“Can you please inform the six elven magic users that we will have a meeting this evening over our meal? Thank you.”
Coming back outside again, Wollfen approached the four women and thought about his group’s makeup. He realized all of a sudden he was the only male there. Of the original eight there was only two men left, he and Kane. Would that need redressing? There was Vaughn still in Port Volarus and there was Madeira here. The two of them weren’t really picked to be part of the group but they had been accepted without a word from the others, maybe that was the most natural way. It really was something for another time anyway, they didn’t have the luxury of picking and choosing right now.
“Madeira, would you like to escort Loranda and Night about. I am sure they would like your view of what is interesting.”
She nodded and grabbed the hands of the girls making sure she was in the middle. Madeira still wasn’t confident enough to walk about near the edge of the walkways. Dark and Wollfen watched as they strode off and she looked up to him.
“I think she is a nice girl, a bit naive about things and maybe that’s a good thing, but I can understand now why you didn’t find it so hard to do what you did with her for the good of her nation.” Wollfen looked back with surprise.
“You know? Well, I yes um, ah.” Dark chuckled.
“It's so easy to trip you up sometimes isn’t it?”
Wollfen went a bit red. Even though they had acknowledged on a subtle level what Wollfen had found he had to do when it came to his time with Madeira, it was still something he didn’t feel good about and it was easy to feel embarrassed.
Taking her by the hand he changed the subject and started walking.
“I have something special to show you.”
They walked to a platform that took them down to the ground and Dark tentatively stepped down onto the light covering of snow on the ground. Finding it wasn’t freezing she walked on it more confidently.
“This is actually quite pleasant,” She remarked.
They walked for a half hour into the forest and came to a hill. As they approached Dark could hear a waterfall in the distance and as they rounded the edge of a rise it was revealed to her. The waterfall was all of three hundred feet high and gave off a mist from where the water crashed into the rocks at the bottom. The mist had a perpetual rainbow showing through it. There was a large pool at the base that stretched six hundred feet across. Wollfen walked down to the waters edge and beckoned Dark to follow.
“Try the water my love, go on, you will be surprised.”
Dark dipped a couple of toes in expecting it to be icy when it fact it was almost like a hot bath. She looked to him in surprise and he explained.
“There is volcanic activity below ground here and the water is kept warm all year round.” All she was seeing astonished Dark.
“It is so striking, I haven’t ever seen such a beautiful waterfall before.”
She stood there looking up and staring. Everything around her had some new wonder for her to behold. She even noticed a deer grazing nearby seemingly unperturbed by their presence. This place surely was enchanted. She turned back to Wollfen and got a nice surprise seeing him standing there naked, he grinned and walked into the water.
“Hurry up, the water is waiting!”
It didn’t take her long to strip off and she waded into the warm waters too. Dark came up to him and slid her arms around his neck pressing herself against his bare skin. It was immediately obvious he had an erection and she closed her legs over it. They kissed for a while but then he pulled away from her and she gave him a quizzical look.
He swam away gesturing for her to follow and he went to the edge of the waterfall itself, Wollfen pulled himself up onto some rocks and he helped her up too. They sat side by side as the water cascaded over them, at the edge here it wasn’t too heavy at all and felt wonderful.
He kissed her some more and then stood up. Dark reached up and massaged his erection near her face a bit before kissing it. Then Dark started taking it into her mouth but he stopped her and lifted her up to him. Turning her around he pushed Dark back into the water a bit further and she felt a slanted ledge behind. She relaxed as he took control. Wollfen reached down between her legs and fondled her hot mound. It was smoldering and pulsing with anticipation. Lifting one of her legs, he entered Dark with his hard rod and slowly started to thrust deep into her. She let out a loud slow moan. The noise of it was lost in the sound of the crashing water. Dark closed her eyes as Wollfen started pumping her rhythmically. His mouth traveled over her chest sucking and nibbling at her nipples, his hands fondling and caressing, she was in ecstasy.
Meanwhile in the high trees of the town Madeira was still busy escorting the other two around pointing out the sights. They were still in wonderment at even the simplest things. All the elven women walking past were tall, slim and stunning. As for the men, even Night was finding them attractive. Loranda was giving hopeful looks to Night but she kept shaking her head. Madeira was realizing Loranda wanted permission for a liaison with one but Night wouldn’t have it. Madeira wondered if that were normal in a relationship? She didn’t dare ask. There were too many things she still didn’t understand when it came to sex.
“Oh look,” Loranda pointed, “It’s a tavern. Do you suppose they make good tasting beer?” Night couldn’t help but comment.
“Trust you to find that place Loranda, though I suppose it can’t hurt to have one drink. I am curious.” Madeira was already resisting.
“Sorry no, you two have gotten me drunk twice now and both times I have paid for it dearly!” Loranda and Night laughed.
“We’re sorry, we get carried away and keep forgetting you are new to it. Tell you what, just let us each have one drink and you can watch on okay?” Madeira nodded cautiously.
“Alright but I’m not drinking.”
They all walked in and sat at a table. Loranda went off and collected two beers from the barman and sat back down. She placed one beer in front of Night and looked at her own. She was staring at it just as Night was.
“It’s got bubbles rising in it. Where are they coming from? I’m not so sure about it being cold too.” Night considered her drink as well.
“It can’t hurt to give it a sip and try surely?”
Night lifted the mug to her lips and took a small taste then licking her lips. Her eyebrows raised and she lifted the mug again drinking deeply. She didn’t stop until half the mug was emptied and she put it down a bit too hard sloshing her beer. Night let out a loud breath as she did and looked at the other two.
“By the gods that is good!”
Loranda followed suit and as she took her first sip, they watched the look on her face as she went straight into drinking it down. She too
had a good swig of the beer before putting hers down.
“Night you were right! This is a nectar of the gods!”
Madeira licked her lips watching on. Loranda spied her and pushed her own mug in front of her.
“Go on one sip won’t hurt you.”
The two of them watched as Madeira took that sip. She didn’t react though as she placed the mug back down on the table and slid it back to Loranda. The two girls looked at each other. Then Madeira without saying a word got up and left the table, she made a beeline for the bar. Upon returning to them she had three mugs in her hands.
“One beer won’t hurt me right?” They all laughed out loud.
Dark traced her fingers over Wollfen’s chest as they lay together on the grass, their naked bodies were soaking up the rays of the sun and even though it was winter, here in the enchanted lands they felt it not. She ran a single finger around a feint red mark in the center of Wollfen’s chest, it was all that remained of the wound he had taken when the crossbow bolt had hit him. He looked down a little as he felt her exploring,
“It still hurts from time to time even now. It’s why I had that armor plate made for me, I don’t want that happening again.”
Dark nodded and left it alone. She remembered that horrible moment when she had to pull the bolt from his chest and had felt it tearing out. Then there was the smell of burning flesh as Kane had stuck a red-hot poker in to seal the wound. It still sent shivers down her spine. She sat up.
“Come on, let’s get going, I have had enough of relaxation and doing nothing. I need to work on something, anything,”
Wollfen agreed. They had just come back from a week in the mountains alone. The two of them dressed and walked back to the city. Wollfen led Dark to their quarters. They were the same ones he had stayed in with Madeira over a week ago. As they approached one could hear giggles coming from inside. The three girls must be back. Inside Wollfen looked at the girls sitting at the table. They were chatting and talking and he realized they were drunk.
