“Please lead on,” he said to Darielle. “We don’t want to be late.”
“No, we do not,” Darielle replied.
Traven snapped his fingers in front of Darian’s face to revive the stunned elf and began following Darielle down the path towards the palace. He didn’t need to turn around to know that Darian and Giselle had fallen into step next to one another behind him. He tried to dismiss what had just happened and focus on what he would say to the elf king, but he found it hard to do. Another elf had just devoted her life to his service. He had never expected to have a single servant, and now he had two.
His musings disappeared at the sight that rose up before him. Darian had called it the mother tree. The name somehow characterized the grand sight perfectly. Out of the midst of the trees rose one even larger and grander than all the rest. The elves flowed towards it excitedly, but Traven had to pause and stare in order to completely take the sight in. The entire Royal Palace at Calyn could have fit within the trunk of the behemoth tree before him. It rose up into the heavens many times taller than the tallest of the Royal Palace’s towers.
“It is a sight to behold, is it not?” Darielle announced.
Traven nodded his agreement and continued following Darielle. At the base of the mother tree stood the palace of Morian Haven. It was constructed completely of wood, but was magnificent nonetheless. It appeared to surround the entire base of the gigantic tree. High sweeping bridges connected the various buildings that stood along the base of the tree and numerous towers stretched up along the trunk. Soaring, stained glass windows dotted the walls.
As they walked closer, Traven realized the palace was even larger than it had at first appeared. With the mother tree as its backdrop, the palace had almost seemed small. The palace now towered above him. There were multiple doors and archways leading into the individual buildings that composed the palace. By the flow of the hundreds of elves around him, it was easy for Traven to guess where they were going.
Darielle joined in the flow of elves heading towards a large opening to the right of what appeared to be the front of the palace. The elves recognized who Traven was and immediately gave him and his entourage a wide berth. Some stared at him with curiosity while others seemed to be doing their best to not look in his direction at all.
Traven followed Darielle through the tall wooden archway and found himself at the top of a surprisingly large amphitheater. The terraced levels surrounded a small clearing at the bottom on all sides and were quickly filling with elves. It was evident that Morian Haven was indeed home to thousands of elves. A large tunnel opened up at the base of the amphitheater to allow access to the clearing from somewhere else.
Darielle proceeded to lead them straight down the terraced levels all the way to the clearing at the base of the amphitheater. There were no benches or anything else to sit on in the circular clearing. Traven took a deep breath as he looked up and around at the crowd above him. He felt thousands of eyes staring down at him. While he had expected to face the scrutiny of the elf king, he hadn’t expected the scrutiny of all the elves of Morian Haven.
“Be at ease,” Darian whispered in his ear. “It is not important what all of the observers think. It is the king who will make the final decision. Besides, those at the top will not even be able to hear what is going on.”
Traven took a deep breath and tried to remain calm.
“The king will enter from the tunnel,” Darian continued in a whisper meant only for Traven. “He will be flanked by advisors and other dignitaries. Bow on the ground when he exits the tunnel and stay there until asked to rise. Be humble in your request, but also be firm. I will stay right behind you and share any advice I can.”
Traven smiled nervously. Darian’s words helped to relieve some of his anxiety. It was comforting to know that the loyal elf would be directly behind him. He wondered if Giselle would prove to be as much of a strength in the future as Darian was to him now.
“Good luck,” Darian said softly. “The elf king approaches.”
The buzz of conversation among the observers instantly disappeared and was replaced by silence. Traven got down on the ground and bowed towards the elves who had just exited the tunnel. In the brief glance he had taken before averting his eyes, it had been easy to identify the elf king.
The king looked slightly older than Darian’s father and resembled him closely in stature and features. It was easy to see that the two were brothers. The king wore an ornate crown of silver on his head that looked as though it were formed from intertwining vines and leaves. Around his neck hung a silver pendant with a giant diamond in the center. On his arm was the armband of endurance, looking exactly as Traven had seen it in his visions. The king wore finely tailored clothes of green embroidered with golden thread. He also had on an elaborate green cape that trailed him and fluttered through the air as he stepped out of the tunnel and into the circular clearing.
Traven waited anxiously for the command to rise, but none was given. He wondered how long the elf king usually waited before allowing those seeking his audience to stand. He could feel the eyes of the elf king staring at him. Traven shifted in place but remained prostrated upon the ground. As more moments passed, he began to wonder if the elf king was purposely leaving him in such a subservient position for so long to show his authority over him. Whatever the reason, Traven was grateful to finally hear the command to rise.
He stood and faced the elf king. The complete silence was broken as those in the crowd began to whisper and shift. The king stood directly in front of him with three richly dressed elves on each side. Darielle stood to Traven’s right, while Darian and Giselle remained close behind him. Darielle took a step forward and bowed to the king.
“I present to the honorable elf king Master Wielder Traven,” he began. “He has come to Morian Haven to seek an audience with Your Majesty. Will you hear him?”
“He may proceed,” the elf king responded.
Darielle turned and nodded to Traven with a smile. It was apparently his turn to speak. He tried to shut out his surroundings and nervousness and focus on the elf king alone.
“Your Majesty,” Traven began. “I have come from the human city of Candus to make a request. As you are aware, the city is currently under siege by an innumerable army of galdaks that is led by a powerful wielder. The city will soon fall without help. I have come to request an object from you that will allow me to assist the humans in resisting and defeating the galdak horde. I understand that it is a sacred object to the elves, but I must request the use of it for a short period of time in order to protect my country. I rely on your benevolence to grant my request.” He paused and took a deep breath. The moment of truth had come. “I request the use of the armband of endurance.”
A look of shock and anger crossed the face of the elf king as the crowd erupted with shouts of dismay and contempt. The request was quickly relayed to the elves in the upper levels, and they too joined in. The once silent amphitheater now roared with emotion.
“You did well,” Darian said quietly. “Stand firm and do not back down.”
The elf king allowed the crowd to continue with their shouting for several moments before he raised his right hand. The crowd immediately grew silent once again. He stared at Traven calculatingly before opening his mouth to speak.
“Human,” the elf king began, “I am somewhat surprised to hear your request. You recognize that the object you seek is sacred to all elves and at the same time you ask that we part from it.” The elf king then raised the arm on which rested the armband of endurance and pointed to the object of Traven’s desire. “This armband has only left the arm of an elf king to be transferred to the next elf king who succeeds him. Are you so naïve to our ways that you think I would actually unclasp it and hand it over to a human who is a stranger to me?”
“Your Majesty,” Traven responded calmly, “I ask out of desperation and hope. I love my people and my country and am willing to offer whatever is in my power to give i
n order to persuade you to lend the armband to me. I believe it to be the only hope for saving my land.”
“You would have me barter a sacred object away?” the elf king said with a smirk. “No, I will not trade it. You have already taken enough from us.”
Traven stared back at the king with a look of honest confusion. He had never taken anything from the elves and had no idea what the king meant.
“I do not wish to barter for it. I merely want to show my willingness to cooperate with any terms you may impose along with lending it to me. I also wish to state that I have taken nothing from your people.”
“Do not feign ignorance,” the elf king continued firmly. “The fruits of your conquest stand behind you for all who are present to see. You have already enslaved two of the finest specimens of our people.” Angry exclamations could be heard throughout the crowd. “Your manservant was a favorite to one day take my place on the throne. His skill, courage, and intellect were admired by all. Your maidservant is a rare flower of beauty and grace even among the elves. You have deprived us of their companionship and services and yet you still seek for more? No, you may not have the armband of endurance. You have taken enough from us already.”
Shouts of agreement rose up from the crowd.
“Then you would condemn hundreds of thousands of innocents to their deaths?” Traven asked with a hint of anger in his voice.
His calmness was fading away with the accusations the elf king had heaped upon him. He had been as surprised as anyone when Darian and later Giselle swore their devotion to him.
“We owe nothing to the humans,” the elf king stated. “Their problems are not our concern.”
“The very armband you wear contradicts that,” Traven responded with a raised voice. “Is it not a symbol of the agreement you made with Faldor, a human?”
The elf king stiffened at his words and several of his advisors took an angry step towards the person challenging their king’s words. Traven felt a disturbance in the air and instantly created a shield to block the projectile hurtled at him from above. The stone ricocheted off the shield and landed harmlessly on the ground nearby. The crowd began to get angrier and more vocal as word of Traven’s defiant statements spread. Several more rocks were hurled towards him with the same ineffective results.
Traven frowned with frustration. What more could he do? He felt strongly from his visions that it was essential he have the armband. However, it appeared the king would refuse to lend it to him no matter what, and the crowd was growing more and more disorderly. He gathered the ambience around him, preparing to protect himself and those who had come with him. He eyed the armband, wondering if taking it by force was justified. Darian must have sensed his thoughts and laid a hand on his shoulder to restrain him.
“Master,” his loyal servant began, “it is not so desperate that we need to resort to that yet. I have an idea.”
19
Kalista watched as the sorrowful citizens of Candus trudged through the southern gate of the city and headed south on the highway. She smiled to them and tried to give as much encouragement as she could. It was difficult to imagine what it must feel like to leave your home and not know if you would ever see it again. The citizens of Candus knew it was likely their homes would be destroyed by the attacking horde of monsters.
The sky was still dark under the black clouds that had covered the city ever since the attack began. However, dawn had arrived, and the mass exodus from Candus had begun in earnest. Many citizens had started leaving the city several days earlier but the majority had stayed until the final evacuation order had been sent out yesterday.
Commander General Blaize had promised that he could hold the galdak horde at bay for at least one day more, providing enough time to fully evacuate the city. The Royal Army had done an amazing job of defending the city but could only do so much when faced with such insurmountable odds. It had been acknowledged after the first night of battle that the galdak horde would eventually be able to push them from the city.
A dispatch had been sent with haste to her father, asking him to send the rest of the army from Calyn. With the extra soldiers and the formidable defenses of Kavar, they hoped to be able to make a stand and stop the advancing horde for good. For now, the most important thing was to safely evacuate the citizens of Candus.
Gavin had refused to leave the city of his birth until there was no hope left. He had decided to remain with the army and keep fighting as long as possible. Kalista had parted with him earlier in the morning, wishing him luck and safety. The farewell had not been as heart-wrenching as the previous one. She supposed she was becoming hardened to the realities of battle and war.
In Gavin’s absence, his mother had chosen to lead the exodus of her city. She rode at the head of the column of citizens streaming away from Candus, leading her people to safety. Kalista had volunteered to oversee the complete evacuation of the city and ride at the rear of the column. She tried to maintain a cheerful countenance as the men, women, and children of Candus streamed past her. All she could give them now was hope that they would be safe and someday be able to return to their fair city.
She watched as a messenger rode quickly past the citizens on foot towards her. She had been anxious for the report. If all had gone well with the defenses of the city over night, the evacuation should be able to continue proceeding orderly and smoothly. The messenger pulled up beside her and bowed his head.
“My Princess,” he said.
“Proceed,” she commanded.
“The galdak horde has been repulsed once again and is retreating to their camp for the day.”
She thanked the messenger for the report and dismissed him. A small sense of relief passed over her. Commander General Blaize had been true to his word. The citizens would have the day to safely evacuate the city. Kalista wondered how long the army would hold on before following the citizens to Kavar. It was quite possible they would be less than a day behind. Gavin might even catch up to her long before she reached the city.
It was unfortunate that the army would not be able to hold out long enough for Traven to return from his search. The morning after the young wielder’s departure, Kalista had discovered the true reason for his hasty flight. He had not abandoned the army but had left on a mission to secure a magical object he had seen in his visions. Traven knew where it was and hoped that once he had it he could better serve in stopping the galdak army.
Commander General Blaize had said it would take Traven at least six days to accomplish his mission, if all went smoothly. Three days had already passed. She hoped Traven had found the object he sought and was speedily returning. With any luck, he could rejoin the army within the next few days. Surely the Royal Army would have a greater chance at defeating the galdaks with Traven at its side.
She had thought of the young wielder often over the last few days. The pain she had felt when she thought he had abandoned her had forced her to examine her true feelings for him. There was obviously more to their relationship than mere platonic friendship. At first, she had tried to dismiss the thoughts. She was engaged to be married and had no right to be thinking of another man. Nevertheless, it did not escape her that she worried as much for Traven’s safe return as she did for Gavin’s return every morning.
The realization had filled her with guilt but also dispelled some of her recent uneasiness. Admitting the fact had allowed her to be honest about her feelings and her thoughts of the future. When the time came, she would have to make a decision. She would not marry Gavin if she couldn’t be completely devoted to him. It would not be fair to either of them.
She watched as a family passed by on foot. The husband and wife held tightly to one another’s hands as their two young children followed close at their heels. They glanced back once at the city and then shared a look of quiet assurance and love. That was what Kalista desired to have. Someone she could share her life with who would make her feel comfortable, happy, and secure.
Gavin had recently n
ot been that kind of man. His various mood swings and jealousy had caused her to feel more comfortable out of his presence than in it. Then again, she did have plenty of fond memories of their time together before the battle at the Pass of Banshi. Those memories gave her hope that Gavin would revert back to his old self. If he did not, she wondered if a marriage to him could possibly make her as happy as she had once believed.
Traven was the only other man in whom she had any attraction to, but he had never done anything to express to her that he harbored the same type of feelings she had for him. He had saved her life twice, but had he done it out of duty or out of love? Regardless, she had most likely destroyed any hope of Traven pursuing his feelings for her, if indeed he had any, by the letter she had left for him.
She shook her head and turned her thoughts to the present. The most important thing right now was the safe evacuation of the citizens of Candus. If the exodus continued uninterrupted, the city should be empty by the afternoon. She smiled and continued nodding to those streaming out of the southern gate. There would be plenty of time for matters of the heart later, after the citizens were safely on their way to Kavar.
* * * * *
Blaize stared at the fleeting forms of the last galdaks as they disappeared in the distance. He leaned back against the rubble of the broken stone wall and covered a yawn with his massive hand. He was sore and tired but happy to have held the galdak horde at bay for one more night.
The Kalian Army had defended the city nobly for four straight nights, not including the initial smaller scale attack. Each night the galdaks had succeeded in pushing further into the city but had yet to completely break through the ranks of soldiers. The walls had held strong and allowed the greatly outnumbered troops to stand firm. With only three entry points along the eastern wall, the galdaks had not been able to take advantage of their superior numbers. The archers and swordsmen had defended the wall and its three gaps valiantly.
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