Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  “I'll see you all in the morning then,” Lunarus says as he walks to the exit of the cave. “Goodnight.”

  They all say goodnight as Lunarus leaves. Then they prepare for bed. Kel'ana looks at her bow closely as Ja'noa asks her, “Is something wrong?”

  “No,” Kel'ana replies, “I was just thinking about what he said about my bow. He said that there was a twin bow somewhere out there. I was just wondering where it was.”

  Chapter 30

  Sanctuary

  Kel'ana looks at her new bow Glacies while not very far away the twin bow Incendia is carried by Ya'leigh Na'Moon. Ya'leigh, along with Princess Kianna and the rest of their party, have been walking all day around the large Sapphire Lake. It is getting very dark as they approach the Monastery on the lake. They see light from the windows inside.

  “Looks like someone is home,” Isen observes. “You all stay here and I'll go check on it.”

  “I really don't think that is necessary,” Kianna replies.

  Garrin adds, “These are monks, not orcneas.”

  “But the orcneas could have taken them over,” Isen says as they get closer.

  “It doesn't look like they were attacked,” Ya'leigh says. “This place looks familiar though.”

  “Come on,” Kianna says. “Let's go and knock.”

  “If you insist, Princess,” Isen relents. “Just don't blame me if we are attacked.”

  Ambra and Kelik look at each other and laugh, but then get close behind Isen as they begin to walk up the stone path to the front door. Isen walks up to the big heavy doors and knocks.

  The doors open as four Monks in their robes greet them. “Greetings, I am Brother Edward,” Edward says.

  “Pleased to meet you Brother Edward,” Kianna replies. “I am Princess Kianna Ravenguard of Sheathelm.”

  “Welcome, Princess Kianna,” Edward says as he bows his head. “Please, come in.”

  “Thank you,” Kianna says as she enters the hall. The rest of the group follows as Isen looks around carefully.

  “Forgive me, Princess,” Edward says, “but we were not expecting you. You are of course welcome but we would have prepared a proper reception had we had known you were coming.”

  “No need to apologize,” Kianna says. “We are grateful for your hospitality.”

  “We shall prepare rooms for you at once,” Edward says as he motions to one of the other monks. The bald robed man leaves down a hall as Edward continues, “We were just sitting down to dinner, please join us.”

  Isen's face lights up and he says, “Oh, good, I am starving.”

  “You are always hungry,” Gena says. “At least I don't have to create food for you this time.”

  The monks set a place for them at a long table in the main hall. Ya'leigh looks around at the large tapestries on the wall and says, “That looks like the Dragon Wars.”

  “That is because it is,” Edward replies. “You are Ya'leigh Na'Moon, are you not?”

  “Yes,” Ya'leigh replies, “How did you know?”

  “Your father used to bring you here with Princess Kianna when you were very young,” Edward explains.

  “That's why this place seems so familiar,” Ya'leigh replies. “I can barely remember.”

  Looking at Ambra and Kelik, Edward asks, “You two must be Ambra and Kelik. I know you would be too young to remember being here. The last time you were here was just before your mother was taken from us.”

  No one responds as Ambra, Kelik, and Ya'leigh just look at each other sadly.

  The awkward silence is broken as Garrin and Isen begin to eat. “This is so much better than rations,” Garrin says as he takes a bite of some cheese.

  “Mmmm,” Isen moans with a mouth full of fresh fruit. “Not that I don't like your food, Gena, but this is delicious.”

  “Well, maybe they will let you bring some then,” Gena says, sounding annoyed.

  “Do you need supplies?” Edward asks.

  “If it isn't too much trouble,” Kianna says. “Isen here has eaten all his rations and forgot to buy more in Troven.”

  “It is no trouble at all,” Edward replies. “We can even send some fruit with you that will not spoil.”

  “Sponge fruit?” Ambra asks.

  “Yes,” Edward answers. “We have a tree out in our garden.”

  “Are they good?” Isen asks.

  “Oh, they are,” Ambra answers. “Sponge fruit are like blueberries but are as big as apples. Instead of going bad they just dry out. You can add water to them and they will taste almost fresh.”

  “I like blueberries,” Isen says.

  “Is there a food you don't like?” Ambra teases.

  “Yes,” Isen answers, “those berries you let me eat the other day.”

  Edward says, “We can give you as many as you wish. We have many of them already dried out. Now, if you will forgive my inquisitiveness, Chance was already here to warn us of the orcneas, so what brings you here?”

  Kianna looks at Ya'leigh before answering, “We are heading across the range to the old orcnea territory.”

  “Why would you go there?” Edward asks.

  “The orcneas are invading Northwind,” Kianna replies. “We are hoping to find the orcnea lands undefended. We may not be able to do much, but we just might cause them enough trouble to make a difference.”

  Edward looks at Ya'leigh and asks, “Your father didn't say anything about it. Does he know what you are up to?”

  Ya'leigh looks down and says, “We saw him to a few days ago. He knew we were bringing supplies to Troven, but we were supposed to go back after that.”

  Then Edward turns to Kianna and asks, “Princess Kianna, does King Arioch know?”

  “No,” Kianna replies. “I am taking responsibility for this decision. With Isen, Garrin, and Gena, Ya'leigh and I are safe. We didn't know that Ambra and Kelik were hiding in the wagon until we got to Troven.”

  “Forgive me, Your Highness,” Edward says, “but are you certain about this?”

  “Yes,” Kianna replies. “Besides we have the gate stone to take us back to the palace if anything should happen that we cannot handle.”

  “Well then,” Edward says, “If I cannot change your minds then perhaps I should tell you that three days ago a small group of Amazons of the Silver Moon came through here. They were on a scouting mission to the northern territory. Of course we did not know at that time the extent of the orcnea's return. Perhaps you can catch up to them and join their party.”

  “Three days is a lot of time to catch up,” Kianna says, “but if we go through the old dwarven city of Coldrock, we just may be able to.”

  “Assuming it still goes all the way through the mountain,” Garrin says.

  “Coldrock?” Edward says. “Last I knew the way was still clear, but without a guide or a map through the caves you would more than likely get lost.”

  “We are hoping to find a guide in Copper Pass,” Kianna says.

  “I suppose you could find someone with the knowledge,” Edward says. “The question is what will be their price.”

  “We will just tell them the Princess orders them to go,” Isen says.

  “We can't do that,” Kianna says. “Even if I wanted to, Sheathelm's control stops at the mountain's edge.”

  “Also,” Edward warns, “it may not be a good idea to tell people she is the princess. You never know when someone might get the idea of kidnapping her for a ransom.”

  “Yes, Isen,” Gena says. “So this time keep your mouth shut.”

  The others laugh at Isen as he says, “I'll try to be more careful this time.”

  Ambra and Kelik are now over at the tapestry and are studying it. “Look,” Ambra says, pointing at one of the humanoid figures in the tapestry. “That must be Head Master Drakesbane.”

  “Where?” Kelik asks as he looks closer.

  “Right there,” Ambra says as she points again. “The one with the blue aura around him.”

  “Oh yes,” Kelik says
as he spots where Ambra is pointing.

  Ya'leigh, Gena, and Kianna all get up from the table and walk over and look. Gena says, “I didn't know he fought in the Dragon War.”

  Kianna replies, “That is how he got his blessing of the ice magic.”

  “Correct,” Edward explains. “He along with Chance, King Arioch, Damian, and Tharidin were able to help bring an end to the war by bringing down the giant air ship.”

  “I thought it was a floating city,” Isen says.

  “For its size,” Edward continues, “is was more like a fortress or city, but it was mobile and used by an ancient race to travel to and conqueror other realms. It crashed when it came to this realm through a giant gate.”

  “Then,” Kianna says continuing the story, “about twenty years ago, the Dragon Slayers discovered it and begin to use the power of the dragon crystals to give it power to rise again.”

  “Correct,” Edward replies.

  “So what did this have to do with Master Drakesbane getting his power?” Gena asks.

  Edward asks, “Well, do you know how the dragon crystals were created?”

  “Yes,” Gena answers, “the Dragon Slayers would capture a dragon and use magic to trap its soul, or life force, into a large crystal.”

  “Yes,” Edward nods, “every dragon crystal contained the soul of a dragon. When Arioch and the others came across them they would break them and free the spirit inside.”

  “I thought Master Drakesbane got his ice powers from a staff,” Gena says.

  “From what I read,” Kianna begins, “Master Drakesbane had the ice staff called Deep Frost. He used it to help defeat the Dragon Slayers. It wasn't until after the war that they learned that Deep Frost was powered by a dragon crystal. When they freed it, the ice dragon spirit that was inside granted Master Drakesbane part of his power. He has blue markings on his arms and chest that are from the blessing. He usually keeps them covered, though.”

  “I have always wondered about something,” Gena asks, “I have always heard it called the Dragon Wars, but weren't the enemies the Dragon Slayers?”

  Edward explains, “Yes, the enemies were the Dragon Slayers. By the end however, it was discovered that a dragon was behind it all. A dark dragon named Zetamat, along with a few other dragons, manipulated the Dragon Slayers into doing their bidding. The Dragon Slayers would trap dozens of dragons and capture their souls for Zetamat. Then they would use the captured crystals to raise the ancient air ship. Fortunately, King Arioch and his men would stop them by joining forces with the Amazons of the Silver Moon and the other dragons that Zetamat had set out to destroy. In the final battle, dragons fought against other dragons. Chance and Tharidin were able to destroy the crystals that were keeping the ship in the air. They escaped before it crashed back to the ground. With the ship destroyed, the fire dragon, Feonvaer, was able to defeat Zetamat and force him out of this realm.”

  Gena says, “So it was more of a dragon civil war.”

  “Indeed,” Edward replies. He looks at Ya'leigh and says, “The amulet that your father carries with him, is a gift that Feonvaer granted him after the war. It too is a dragon crystal of sorts.”

  Ya'leigh replies, “I knew it was a gift but he never told me it was a dragon crystal.”

  Edward replies. “One day, Feonvaer was captured by the Dragon Slayers. Chance happened to come across them just as they began to trap his soul with a relic containing an empty dragon crystal. Chance interrupted the spell and freed Feonvaer, but not before some of his spirit had been taken. The fire dragon took the staff containing the crystal, but rather than breaking it, Feonvaer kept it. He would later cast another spell on it and return it to Chance as a gift after the Dragon War was over. That amulet contains part of Feonvaer's spirit.”

  “No wonder it is so powerful,” Kianna says.”

  “I never knew that,” Ya'leigh says.

  Gena thinks for a moment then asks, “I know what became of King Arioch, Chance, and Master Drakesbane, but what ever happened to the other two?”

  “Tharidin was my father's best friend,” Ya'leigh answers. “He disappeared right before the Second Orcnea War.”

  Kianna then adds, “Damian is the lord of Northwind now. My father told me how the five of them had gone on many adventurers together.”

  “Now it is we who are adventuring,” Ya’leigh laughs.

  Later one of the monks enters the room from a hallway and nods to Edward. “I believe your rooms are ready,” Edward says to them.

  “Thank you again,” Kianna says as they get up and gather their gear.

  “You are always welcome here, Princess Kianna,” Edward replies. “Now if you will follow Brother Michael, he will lead you to your rooms.”

  Before leaving the table, Isen grabs a couple more slices of bread to take with him. They follow Michael down the hall and to their rooms. Edward turns to one of the other monks and says, “Please go and tell Namos that I wish to see him as soon as possible in my room.” The monk nods and leaves the main hall.

  A short time later a young man knocks at Brother Edward's room door. He is almost twenty and is in fit condition. He wears a robe like the others but instead of a shaved head he has dark wavy hair. “Master Edward,” Namos says, “you wished to see me?”

  “Yes, Namos,” Edward replies. Edward seals a letter and asks, “How would you like to go for a little run?”

  “Of course, Master,” Namos replies with a big smile. “How far?”

  Edward stands and holds out the letter. “I need you to take this to King Arioch, he should be just south of Northwind.”

  Taking the letter from Edward, Namos thinks for a moment, “Master, that is all the way to the coast. It could take a week!”

  “Yes,” Edward answers. “I have a few items for you that will help make the journey much faster.” Edward hands him a wineskin and says, “First you have the bottomless wineskin so that you will not run out of clean water.” Edward lays a wool cloth on the desk and unfolds it. Inside there are several small vials. Edward says, “Though you probably won’t need them, I am sending a few healing potions with you. I am also giving you several Potions of Rest as well as potions that will give you all the nutrients your body will need.” Edward carefully folds the wool cloth and hands it to Namos. He then hands him a small pouch and says, “Here is some silver so that you can rest in the towns along the way. You must travel light so we will not send you with any tents or blankets. All you need can fit in this small backpack.” He hands a backpack to Namos and says, “There is a map inside if you need it. I have one other item for you.” He walks over to a shelf and pulls down a pair of sandals.

  “Master?” Namos questions. “The Sandals of Celeritas, are you sure?”

  “Yes,” Edward replies, “You are our fastest runner. Even without the Sandals of Celeritas you could make the journey in several days. I need you to make this journey in three days.”

  Namos, holding the magical sandals in his hands, smiles brightly and says, “I will make the journey in two.”

  “Do not push yourself too hard,” Edward warns. “Make sure you take breaks and pace yourself, and make sure that you deliver that message personally to either King Arioch or Chance Na'Moon.”

  “Yes, Master,” Namos says. “I will leave at once.”

  “You can wait until morning,” Edward says with a smile.

  “I could, Master,” Namos replies, “but I enjoy running in the night air. Besides, I am too excited to sleep now anyway.”

  “Very well,” Edward says. “Before you go I have something else I would like to say.”

  Namos looks at Edward curiously and asks, “What is it, Master?”

  “Namos,” Edward begins to say, “you have been like a son to us here at the monastery. When we took you in all those years ago we knew that someday the time would come when you may leave us. Just like the young Sisters of the Silver Moon that came through a few days ago, you too need to go out into the world and make your own path.
”

  Namos looking down asks, “So, when I am done delivering the message...?”

  “You may decide what you do next,” Edward says. “Travel wherever your heart leads you. Someday, if you feel so inclined, you may return here if you wish. You will always be welcome here, Namos.”

  Namos, looking sad, replies, “Thank you, Master. I will make you proud.”

  “I already am, Namos,” Edward says as he opens his arms and hugs his young apprentice.

  Namos takes the bag and looks inside at the map for a moment. He places everything back inside then eagerly puts on the sandals. Without another word they walk to the front door. Namos only nods before he turns to run down the path to Sapphire Lake.

  Brother Edward watches Namos as he reaches the lake and begins to run down the shore line. The calm waters on the lake reflect the stars in the night sky as well as the ringed silver crescent moon that hangs low over the other horizon.

  Far away on the deck of the Red Dawn, Ariella looks upon the same moon. “Why Fernando?” she quietly asks herself, “Why?”

  At that very same moment Fernando Greythorn lies under the open sky also staring at the moon. He has been traveling with a caravan in-root to Sheathelm. With a sad smile he says to himself, “Oh, Ariella, I hope you will be able to forgive me.” A shooting star streaks across the sky to the north and Fernando smiles and closes his eyes to make a wish.

  Farther north on the front lines, Chance watches the same shooting star. He smiles and also closes his eyes. He thinks of Kristieana and the seven sisters. He whispers to himself, “May the gods and goddesses watch over you, Kristieana, and may you keep our sisters safe.” He opens his eyes and then his thoughts drift away as he stares off into a nearby campfire.

  Not very far way, in Lunarus's mountain cave, Kristieana is also staring into a fire. She is remembering her kiss with Chance. Suddenly her daydream is interrupted by Kel'ana's voice. “What are you thinking about?” Kel'ana asks her.

  Kristieana looks up and asks, “I am sorry, what did you say?”

  “I asked what you were thinking about,” Kel'ana repeats, “You seemed to be far away.”