Runefell_The Tempest's Fury

by Shawn Sodman

  Lyra becomes overwhelmed with emotions again and begs, “Please, kiss me. Just once.”

  Before Sven can respond he looks up and sees Evelena, Yentroc, Rehma and Gelana. Evelena says to Lyra in elvish, “Lyra, you're disgracing yourself. Come with us and get some sleep.”

  While Sven could not comprehend the elven language, Lyra understood perfectly. Suddenly feeling embarrassed, Lyra looks at the ground and says, “I am sorry, Sven, I have to go now.” Yentroc and Gelana walk alongside Lyra to give her support as they start to head back to the camp.

  Evelena says to Sven, “I hope she wasn't too much trouble for you.”

  “Lyra was no trouble,” Sven replies.

  Rehma asks, “What were you doing out here anyway?”

  “Sven was trying to get Lyra some cool night air,” he explains. Sven suddenly gets the feeling that the girls do not fully trust his intentions. “Sven was hoping it would clear her head. Sven is sorry, he did not realize it would make you worry.”

  Kristieana, who has been watching the entire time, drops her cloak and walks out from behind a corner of one of the ruins. She says, “Don't worry, Sven, I believe you.” Evelena, Rehma, and Sven are all surprised by Kristieana's sudden appearance.

  Sven, not sure if Kristieana is being serious, asks, “You believe Sven?”

  “Yes,” she replies. Kristieana looks to her two sisters and says, “You two can go back to camp now. I need to talk to Sven alone.”

  Rehma and Evelena look at each other for a moment. Both are unsure if they comfortable with Kristieana and Sven being alone together, considering Kristieana's disdain for him. Reluctantly, they turn to leave the two of them alone. Sven anxiously awaits what he can only assume is going to be another firm warning from Kristieana.

  Once Rehma and Evelena are out of view, Kristieana says, “Sven, I owe you an apology.”

  Not hearing her, he says, “Sven promises, he did not let Lyra kiss... Wait, what did you say?” Sven was so certain that Kristieana's words would be scathing, he was not prepared for an apology.

  “I'm sorry,” Kristieana says.

  “For what?” he asks.

  “For not trusting your intentions with Lyra,” she answers. “I saw that she was trying to kiss you and that you did not let it happen.”

  “It makes Sven feel good to hear you say that,” he says.

  “I hope you can understand that I was only trying to protect her,” Kristieana says.

  “You were right to be protective,” Sven says. “After all, Sven did invite you to his bed.”

  “That's right, you did,” Kristieana replies.

  “That was before Sven had feelings for Lyra,” he says.

  Kristieana smiles and asks, “So you're no longer denying it, then?”

  Sven looks at the ground and says, “No, but it does not change fact that Sven cannot act on those feelings. By morning Lyra will have forgotten all about tonight. Sven can then keep promise to Chance.”

  The mention of Chance's name takes Kristieana's focus away from the current conversation. She remembers her kiss with Chance on the mountain. Then her thoughts shift to Isen.

  Sven notices the blank look on her face and asks, “Are you all right?”

  Kristieana snaps out of the daze and replies, “Yes, I'm sorry. I was just thinking of something. Come on, let's get back to the others.”

  Day 16

  Chapter 20

  Verity

  Along the western base of the Fire Mountains, a small village is nestled within a valley. Only two dozen homes make up the village that sits on Hjarn river. The valley and the village share one name. It is known to the elves as a'Dalur, or river valley.

  The river is fed from several lakes that are all but completely inaccessible due to the jagged and broken terrain of the Fire Mountains. The volcanic activity beneath the lakes keeps the water from freezing. The roiling waters flow through snow and ice as it winds down the mountainside. By the time the river reaches a'Dalur, the water is still cold enough to freeze, but due to its continuous motion, it does not.

  The inhabitants of a'Dalur are river elves. Their homes are modest and made up of living trees that were shaped into houses by the magic of the river elves. Most of these structures are at the bases of enormous trees, while a few are high in the branches. Two to four elves live in each of the forest homes, and the population of a'Dalur is less than one hundred.

  Though the river's water is extremely frigid, the air within the valley is quite warm. Part of the Mana Forest, a'Dalur is under a thick canopy of vegetation. From the air it would not be visible, even where the narrow river runs.

  The life of a river elf is leisurely. They are very adept in magic when it comes to plants and animals. They consider themselves to be completely one with nature. They cultivate their gardens for only a few hours each day. They usually feast in groups, and the rest of the time is spent studying magic. They have no need for gold or wealth, as they have everything they need in the valley. Many of the elves have traveled to the world outside, only to return to the serenity of a'Dalur.

  On the very edge of the village, there is a sudden burst of air as Faye and Janette appear in an instant. They have teleported from the Sea Griffin. They look around and get their bearings, as teleportation can be very disorientating, especially if done over long distances.

  The river elves sense their arrival, and Faye and Janette are soon met by three elven archers. “Can we help you ladies?” one of the tall, slender elves asks. He is lightly dressed in green and brown clothing. It doesn't protect much, but is ideal for hiding within the forest. “My name is Phayne,” he adds.

  Faye replies, “My name is Faye, and this is my sister, Janette.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Faye and Janette,” Phayne says as he reaches them. His long hair is dark brown with patches of green stained throughout that add to his camouflaged appearance. “What brings you to a'Dalur?”

  Janette replies, “We're here to visit a friend of ours, Grace Dri'el.”

  Phayne nods to the other two elves, indicating that the twins are not a threat. As they begin to walk back into the village, Phayne says, “I will take you to her.”

  “Thank you,” Janette replies with a smile that borders on flirtation.

  Faye and Janette walk alongside Phayne as they follow the lead of the other two elves. Phayne says, “I assume that you have visited here before.”

  “Yes,” Faye answers as she looks up at the houses within the large branches of the trees. “We came with Grace last summer.”

  “Ah,” he replies. “That would explain why I don't remember the two of you. I was in Elonfar last summer.”

  The routes through the village are nothing more than narrow paths of dirt surrounded by flora. Each tree is over thirty paces from the next and reaches far up into the canopy above. “I forgot how beautiful this place was,” Faye says, looking up at the rope bridge connecting two tree houses.

  “Me, too,” Janette says.

  As they walk along the river bank, Faye looks into the clear, cold waters. It's so pristine that she can see the bottom of the river all the way across to the other side. Faye says, “I'm getting thirsty just looking at the river.”

  Phayne stops and says, “Please, help yourselves. It is pure and safe.”

  The girls stop and kneel on the stony bank, cupping water into their hands. They drink from the river and Janette says, “I never thought water could taste so good.”

  “It is the minerals from the mountain that you taste,” Phayne explains.

  They stand up and Janette asks, “Are humans allowed to live in your village?”

  Phayne laughs and says, “If you are serious, I could ask the elders.”

  “No,” sighs Janette. “It's not necessary. I was just wondering.”

  “Come,” Phayne says. “Grace is not far from here.”

  The three walk along the paths for a few minutes before reaching their friend's home. They climb a ladder of vin
es until they reach a platform made from the curved branches of the tree itself. The wood has a spiral pattern, and in the very center is the hole that leads to the vine ladder below. Even at these heights, the trunk of the tree is still over five paces in width. It is a solid base for the home that wraps around it. The platform the girls are now standing on leads to the door.

  Phayne knocks on the door and a few moments later, it opens and a young female elf is standing on the other side. “Faye, Janette, what are you doing here?” the girl named Grace asks, happy to see her friends. Her face is adorned with vibrant depictions of vines and white flowers. She wears several blossoms of red, pink, and blue in her long brown hair.

  “We came to pay you a visit,” Faye answers as she hugs the elven girl.

  “And to ask you a favor,” Janette adds, as she, too, gives her friend a hug.

  “I shall leave you to your friends,” Phayne says, excusing himself. He begins to climb down the vine ladder.

  Janette watches as Phayne climbs down. Grace asks, “What kind of favor?”

  Faye answers, “We need a few leaves from the Verity vine.”

  “Oh,” Grace replies. “Is that all?”

  “Yes,” says Faye. “We remembered you saying that the vines grew here.”

  “Of course,” Grace replies. “We can go right now if you would like.”

  “That would be great,” Faye says. “The sooner we can get them, the better. Our captain wants them right away.”

  Grace closes the door behind her and says, “Well, then, follow me.”

  Grace begins to climb down the vine ladder as Janette asks, “Is Phayne involved in a relationship with anyone?”

  “Janette!” Faye chastises.

  “I can't help it,” Janette replies. “He is so tall, and you know how much I like that in a man.”

  Grace laughs and says, “He is also one hundred and forty years old.”

  “Oh,” Janette replies, disappointed.

  The girls follow Grace down the vine ladder and walk up the river bank until they reach a waterfall at the very edge of the mountain. Grace walks around a large boulder and says, “It will be a bit of a climb from here.”

  Faye and Janette begin to follow their friend up a winding path.

  “So,” Grace says as they walk. “What does your captain need the Verity leaves for? I mean, I know that they are used to make someone speak truthfully, but who are they for? Is he a murderer?”

  “No,” Faye laughs. “He is not a murderer.”

  “Who is he, then?” Grace asks, curious as to the twins' mission.

  “His name is Fernando Greythorn,” Janette answers as she continues to follow her friend. “The captain needs to get some information about a map or something. I think it's for her friend.”

  “It sounds exciting,” Grace replies. “Do you think it is a treasure map?”

  “I think so,” says Janette.

  “We haven't really been told much about what is going on,” Faye adds. “All we know for sure is that the captain can't read his thoughts and he isn't talking. So we were sent here to get the leaves.”

  Grace climbs a steep stairway of stone. She says, “Sounds like your summer is more exciting than mine. All I get to do is study magic. I am getting rather tired of it.”

  “But it's so beautiful here,” Faye says.

  “Yes, it is,” Grace replies as she makes it to the top of the stairway. “I shouldn't complain. After all, I do get to spend time with my father. Most Amazons of the Silver Moon never get to meet theirs. I get to see mine regularly.”

  “Your father is so nice,” says Janette. “Can we say hello to him before we leave?”

  “He is in Elonfar,” Grace replies. “They are discussing the war in the east. In a few days the Lunar Gate will open from Elonfar to Sheathelm, and the elves are deciding how many troops to send, or if they should send any at all.”

  “Why wouldn't they?” Janette asks. “The orcneas won't stop at the east.”

  “I agree,” replies Grace. “My father went to speak to the council and give his support, but we are not a warrior class.”

  “I saw drake riders,” Janette says. “So at least they're sending some support.”

  “If they sent the drake riders,” Grace says as they continue walking, “then they will be sending more troops once the gate opens. So, are you staying at Sheathelm?”

  “No,” Faye answers. “We were there for a while, but when the storm approached we had to leave.”

  “Did you see any orcneas?” Grace asks, excitedly.

  “Thankfully, no,” Faye answers.

  Soon they find themselves on a plateau along the side of the mountain overlooking the tops of the trees. As far as their eyes can see to the west, there is nothing but a sea of green.

  “Amazing,” Faye gasps.

  “I come up here often,” Grace says.

  “I would, too,” says Janette.

  They are at the top of the waterfall that cascades down to the river below. The river, at this level, divides the plateau in half. The elves use this space for gardening. The mountain's side is steep and covered with thick brown vines with pointed green leaves.

  “Here they are,” Grace says, “the Verity vines.”

  “It looks like a giant blanket that covers this part of the mountain,” Janette says.

  “Are the leaves safe to pick?” Faye asks.

  “Yes,” Grace answers. “They are.” Faye opens a pouch and begins to gather leaves from the vine. “I hope these work for your captain.”

  “So do I,” Faye replies. “I don't like how they're currently trying to get the information.”

  Grace places her hand on one of the vines and closes her eyes. Her hands begin to glow with a faint green light, and soon the vine begins to grow rapidly. After a few moments, Grace breaks off part of the newly grown vine. She then places her hands on the vine where she had broken it. Her hands glow again with green light, and the damage to the plant is repaired.

  Grace says, “Tell your captain to place this in water, and it should start to grow on its own.”

  Faye takes the vine and says, “I will. Thank you.”

  “I wish I was old enough to be on my Rite of Passage,” Grace says, “I would love to go with you.”

  “We'll put in a good word for you with the captain,” Janette says.

  “That would be great,” Grace smiles.

  Faye says, “We should be going now.”

  “Be careful,” Grace says as she hugs her two friends. “Come and visit again soon.”

  “We will,” Faye replies. She turns to Janette and asks, “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” Janette replies.

  Faye and Janette hold hands. A moment later they vanish as they teleport themselves back to the Sea Griffin.

  Chapter 21

  Hangover

  In the ruins of Ogres Mead, Sven and the other men are waiting outside the brewery as the women finish bathing in the warm water from the storage vats. Garrin asks the others, “Why does it take so long for women to get ready?”

  Sven laughs and says, “Sven thinks the women are moving a little slower this morning because of drinking last night.”

  “Well, we’ve already wasted half the morning,” Garrin complains.

  Ambra and Gena exit the brewery. Ambra has a flower stained on her right cheek. She says, “They’re almost done. They just need to finish up with their face painting.”

  Isen says, “So that’s what’s taking so long.”

  Inside the building, the Amazons of the Silver Moon are gathering their belongings. Yentroc says loudly, “Hey, Lyra, does your head still hurt?”

  “Ugh, yes,” she moans as rubs the sides of her head. “Please stop yelling.”

  The others laugh quietly as Ja'noa walks over to Lyra and says, “Here, take this.” She holds out a leaf to Lyra.

  Without questioning it at all, Lyra takes the leaf and places it in her mouth. She chews it for a moment bef
ore swallowing it. Lyra asks Yentroc, “Do you have any Midnight Tear blossom I could use? Mine is all gone.”

  “No,” Yentroc says, “I’m out. Sorry.”

  “Here,” Kristieana says, holding out a dried yellow blossom. “I have some.”

  Lyra, surprised by Kristieana's offering, hesitates before finally taking the flower. “Thank you,” she says.

  Kristieana smiles and replies, “You're welcome. Just be sure to only use a little. Goliaths have a very strong sense of smell. You wouldn't want to overwhelm Sven by using too much.” Everyone stops and stares at Kristieana. She looks around at the others and asks, “What are you all looking at?”

  Gelana says, “Kristieana, you realize that you’re helping Lyra with Sven, don't you?”

  “Yes,” Kristieana sighs, “I know. Lyra, I’m sorry about the other day. You were right. What happens between you and Sven is none of my concern. You can do whatever you like with him, or anyone else. I know that if I was on my Rite of Passage, I probably would have tried to claim someone like Sven, as well.”

  Lyra, hoping the others cannot see her blushing cheeks, says, “I am not trying to claim anyone, I just want to smell nice.”

  “Right,” Kristieana teases. “It's all right, Lyra. There’s no need to be embarrassed. I admit that I didn't trust him at first, but after last night...”

  “What happened last night?” Lyra asks, unable to remember.

  Before Kristieana can explain, Gelana asks, “Wait, you don't remember what happened last night?”

  Now looking concerned, Lyra answers, “No, I don't. Please, tell me what happened.”

  Gelana cannot pass up the opportunity to have some fun and says, “Well, you and Sven were... you know.”

  Lyra begins to breathe rapidly. “No,” she gasps in between breaths. “We couldn't have.”

  Evelena ends the ruse. “Gelana, stop lying to Lyra about what happened.”

  “All right,” Gelana laughs. “But honestly, you were trying to kiss him.”

  Lyra, feeling a bit relieved, is still embarrassed. “I did?”

  Rehma says, “From what I heard, you were practically begging him to kiss you.”