by Beaux Riley
"Your path led you to our doorstep, in need." Lin Kin said looking at their tattered clothing and the state of their well-being. Kimura nodded without thinking about it.
"We've been chasing ghosts through that thick forest and haven't come across them, yet." Aedrius then interjected. Zerick nodded, listening intently.
"Your orders were to murder two women?" Asked Lin Kin.
"It isn't that simple." Kimura said immediately. "I thought it was about revenge or something of that nature. It's about bringing them to justice. They must stand trial for their crimes above all else. Our problem is no longer having a court outside of the two of us to judge them."
"They're just as much strangers as we are. If they can worm their way into the higher ranks of a society like they did with the Barbarians, the damage they can wrought is apparent." Said Aedrius.
Lin Kin and Zerick took a hard pause and stared at one another. They almost seemed to know what the other would say.
"We are peacekeepers here. I invite you to stay for your search. But know this, so long as you keep your conflict outside of these walls, I will allow you to stay. For generations, my people have lived in a lasting peace. I will not turn away a dirty and starving traveler, but I will turn my back to a warmonger." Zerick rose slowly. "Perhaps you'll reconsider how to bring this justice you speak of."
Peacekeepers are hilarious. They don't know what we've been through, what we've lost. Am I to believe that these men can be anything more than a means to an end? Am I so wrong to be so cold right now?
Kimura let his thoughts be pushed back into the depths of his mind, if for a brief moment.
"If we find any of our people, is that same courtesy extended to them?" Kimura asked bluntly, trying to show respect.
"I welcome new faces, my boy." Zerick's smile eased their tension. He motioned for them to come sit, as meals had been set without their knowledge. The four of them sat and they all began to eat.
"Do you believe there are many of your people out there? Finding this place was not an easy feat at all." Lin queried. Kimura nearly hiccupped several times on the meat he'd never tasted before. It was so many times better than unseasoned and charred bear flesh.
"To be honest, I don't know. Less than sixty of us survived the purge in the dead of night. The rest fought into the morning. We took three lives for every one of ours lost..." Kimura began.
"...at least." Aedrius added. Kimura nodded.
"My brother and I personally didn't do much fighting. We were scrambling to find Zahn and that was the time we were given our final orders." Kimura went silent, a fork and knife stabbing meat he wanted to eat, but feeling guilt ridden. "How can we pay for our stay here?"
Zerick stared intently at the bulge in Kimura's breast pocket and beckoned the object there. Kimura did his best to lower his guard and eventually and rather slowly, handed the beacon over to Zerick. "My boy, do you know what this is?" Kimura started to speak and then withheld his words until he could appropriately describe the orb.
"It is called the Beacon of Light. It grants those Light users near it an incredible boost in potency for our 'magic', for the lack of a better word." Kimura took another bite, beginning to feel better. "We've felt that it grew weaker after the quakes."
"I've seen many strange things with these eyes, and even more in my older years. This may be as you describe it, but I feel a presence in it as well." Zerick began, examining every side of the orb, as it slowly glowed on and off like a firefly.
"We've felt it too. Whatever was known about that object was lost with Zahn. Rest his soul." Kimura stated sadly.
"...Soul. That is what I believe this is. Perhaps your power is amplified by the soul." Zerick asked curiously. Kimura nodded, trying to understand the point Zerick was making.
"We can use our soul as a catalyst for the power, but beyond that, I don't know much else." Kimura was handed back the orb after a few moments of silence.
"Magic was lost long ago in a war that claimed many lives. If tomes from that time still exist, it would recreate the devastating power...we might have another war. Be wary of who sees this orb." Zerick happily finished his plate and excused himself to his chambers.
Could that have been the Sorcerer's War that Illoke's books talked about? That happened thousands of years ago. Maybe the old man got to meet the elven King...
Lin and others helped clear the tables and he spoke to Kimura and Aedrius, handing them dark-gray and black clothing. It was closer to the color of their leader, but distinctly different. Kimura immediately liked it. "I'll show you to your quarters after a wash up. Welcome to the monk's monastery of Midian, brothers."
The two brothers looked at each other, feeling as welcome as they were in the Paladine.
The monks were a kind but neutral people. They were peacekeepers and shared many of the same ideals that the brothers had. The brothers received new clothing and maps to nearby territories to aid in their search. Ethra was naturally populated by several human and dwarven kingdoms, making it easy for the sisters to be hiding anywhere.
Kimura looked over the maps many times. Saebel, Stoneholt, Ela'syn Forest, Averia, Worren. These were all the major areas that the sisters could be. It wasn't as simple as asking if someone has seen two suspicious looking women with the power to burn down an entire city. No, Kimura understood that this was a game of cat and mouse. Which he was, right now he didn't know, the cat or the mouse.
If I consider the time that the sisters would have spent, they'd have at least half a day ahead of us. If the rumors of them being able to fly were true, then it was a foolhardy attempt to follow them on foot.
Saebel was directly to the west of Midian, its gates resting only a few hours from where Kimura sat. His room was simple, with a view out into a field where many of the monks were farming. This entire fortress was naturally hidden by the mountain enclosure and ensured their protection. It helped Kimura sleep over the last seven days he had been here.
Aedrius had been practicing his Light and gained an interested crowd as his unique ability to empower his weapon with the Light, made the metal glow almost as if it were a torch. It was a sight to see.
To pay for their stay, they helped the farm hands and did various chores around Midian. In their downtime, Kimura began plotting the course of his first trip. He'd avoid speaking with the Ela'syn right now, at least until he found the sisters and could justify requesting the aid of the elves. His current aim was another mountain enclosure. This one, however, was much more profound.
The dwarves of Stoneholt, a selfish empire of bearded and bulky men and women, had built their own mining city into a mountain. They had been carving the land into a bridge and forging homes within its shell as they dug deeper and deeper to find riches. Kimura learned what he could from the vast library in Midian about the dwarves and believed they could be a good lead. If the sisters were hiding, they'd do it in a place where they didn't believe people would normally travel. At least, this is what he’d hoped was true.
Kimura spent the entire day preparing for the journey to Stoneholt. He didn't assume Aedrius wanted to be left behind and set up a sack for him as well. A stable with horses stood to the most eastern part of the fortress. He made his way down to Aedrius, who had nearly passed out from practicing and exercising. Zerick and Lin asked how the brothers came into possession of the power, and explained that it is a gift given by one completely enveloped by the Light. Of which, Zahn had been the only one. They would have to discover how to give the power to others. It was the monk's constant questioning that made Aedrius rather uneasy. As Kimura beckoned his brother, the monks blessed them with a safe journey, and with that, they were on their way.
The brothers rode out in the dead of night, following a path directed by Lin, to find their way towards the mountain city. It was many miles away from where they resided and they'd most likely arrive within two days, give or take a break for the horses and to eat.
The first glimpse of sunlight struck their
brows as they crossed the plains. A well-treaded pathway was visible for them, as came the early hours of the morning. The horses they rode on were surprisingly energetic and showed no signs of being tired. Kimura patted the horse and it began to gallop harder into the distance.
***
"RUN! NOW!!!" A voice called out into the cold stone halls. The man who stood no taller than four feet witnessed a monstrosity made of stone and blood slam its massive open palm down upon a female, leaving nothing but a smear of red and hair. Talus was desperately trying to save the dwarves in Stoneholt from whatever these stone giants were. Too many were smashed and stomped on in the tight corridors and his efforts were futile. The familiar smell of bloody copper filled the halls as the long haired dwarf ushered anyone he could find to retreat to safety.
Talus found seven of his fellow friends who had been fighting off the giants, using the dwarvish Rune magic. They managed to stop most of the stone giants, but one particular giant who possessed the same runes they used to stop the others, left it unharmed by their power. They were forced to retreat down a smaller corridor that prevented this monstrosity from reaching them. Its arms reached as far as it could into the corridor and eventually lost interest, searching for more victims. They could hear the monster roaring out and its loud steps booming. It eventually could not be heard as it progressed further and further away from them.
Talus and the others sealed the room they were in, using runes on each of the four side of the door and continuously checked it to be sure nothing could get in. Talus slammed his fist against the wall several times, bruising his hand in the process. Milla, a female dwarf who was close to Talus attempted to stop him. She raised a hand and set it on his shoulder. Milla brushed her brown hair aside, and revealing her emerald green-eyes, watched Talus turn towards her. His dark black hair was matted to his forehead. He was one of few dwarves without facial hair, a sign of youth as many dwarves could grow out their beards later in life. Talus was shaking, as Milla could feel.
"You need not be broken now, Talus. You saved us." Milla tried to console him. Everyone could feel the distress he was emitting. Talus breathed deeply and turned back to face the seven dwarves under his guard. They were students like him, under the tutor of their King, Kaydren.
Kaydren was nowhere to be seen. His people searched for him hopelessly as the stone giants massacred their people inside, and the army had been forced to guard the gates from the elves outside. His people felt that their King had abandoned them.
***
"We've waited long enough, sister." A tall slender woman spoke through a black mask. A hooded cloak covered most of her body, including half of the faceguard. Her hand extended to the shoulder of the person she stood next to. Vinesca removed her mask, revealing sleek black hair and orange eyes. She then motioned for her sister to do the same. Sinesca had the same sleek hair, but her eyes were a pale green. The Char sisters had been in hiding for several weeks, and their dealings with Kaydren had spanned several years.
"You have driven me for half a decade. The soul stone has been tempered by the blood you provided. It is nearly ready, an' by my hand it won't be rushed any faster, less'n I say otherwise." Kaydren spoke as he monitored a small stone glowing a bright orange flare on occasion. "I will have what is mine, before you, yours. You owe me that much, partner." Kaydren opened a palm, awaiting his payment.
Vinesca was a woman of little patience, and even less tolerance for those demanding. She contemplated how to go about handling Kaydren. He was less than willing to serve the interests of Vallen, and even less to the sisters.
"Dwarf-King, you'll have all you wish soon enough. The payment comes from what the stone provides." Vinesca's meaning was vague, to say at the least. She gave no word further on how Kaydren would be reimbursed for all the effort he put into creating this ‘soul stone’. Sinesca and Vinesca had put their own essence into reviving their father after he was slain by Zahn. This would be their moment of triumph.
"The bargain about finding the blood diamond was a lie then? You don't make agreements that ye' dinne intend on fillin'.” Said Kaydren. Vinesca remained still, unmoved.
"It's beneficial for both our parties. Unless you doubt me." She said angrily.
Kaydren took in her words, his palm still open. He eyed them in a moment of silence. He then turned and reached for the stone. Vinesca burst into flames and was within an inch of Kaydren's face. Her body was one with an unnatural fire that neither consumed her nor Kaydren. Her eyes were white sockets. Her expressions were clear.
"YOU WILL NOT UNDO WHAT WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR!" Vinesca screamed, with tiny embers that would be her own spit, slightly burning the tips of Kaydren's long brown beard. Yet there was a hint of fear in her voice. She was afraid.
"This little stone means that much to you, don't it?" Said the King musingly. Any reaction from Vinesca, could cause the stone to fall from his grip and shatter. She was, for now, at the mercy of Kaydren's toying. Vinesca stood back, the flames subsiding.
"It is more precious than you can imagine. Please. You'll get your just reward-" Vinesca stopped as Kaydren took off his glove, and gripped the stone tightly, breaking it in his powerful fist.
A moment passed. Vinesca reached for Kaydren's body in a rage and felt a ripple. The King of the Dwarves emitted a flame stronger than her own. She was shoved against a wall, to be met with the same glaring white socketed stare she’d given him only moments prior. Kaydren had become… a Char. His body began to emit flames that felt hot. For once Vinesca actually felt heat not her own.
"This can't be. No, you’ve ruined everything. We were so close to bringing Father-"
Vinesca motioned to Sinesca and the two dove towards Kaydren, who had used runes to once again stop and push back the sisters. They were momentarily stunned and he reached out for them. Their long hair made it easy for him to grip in each palm and he threw them out the balcony of the second story room they resided in. Each sister hit the stone floor below them, hard.
"Giants, I offer you the best meal beneath your feet! Kill those she-devils and return to your slumber!" Kaydren shouted towards three giants who had not been destroyed by the citizens of Stoneholt. The giants turned towards their victims and rose a stone palm, with all intentions of ending the sisters’ lives.
Vinesca was incredibly disoriented. The descent from being thrown twenty feet down left her in incredible pain. When she regained her senses, she saw the giants above her and Sinesca, peering down, their eyes a red, unblinking stare. She mustered her control and gave in to her flame form in an instant and blew out the stone feet of each giant, allowing her a moment to claim an unconscious Sinesca and escape.
Vinesca desperately carried her unconscious sister through a passage that they'd agreed on escaping through if the worst had happened. She had been ankle-deep in puddles of what she'd assumed to be blood as she continued her way south. It took Vinesca several minutes to arrive at a point in the walls of Stoneholt, that which seemed like a dead-end. She pressed a stone with her right palm, still having Sinesca on her back. She then witnessed the wall opening to reveal a passage out of the city. The passage was completely dark. Vinesca removed a piece of wood that she carried with her and ignited it in her hand. The wood didn't burn and instead seemed to absorb the flame, rather than be consumed by it.
She remembered then, her father's last words. Vinesca and her sister had been given two small pieces of wood they'd never seen before. It was enchanted bark from the Mother tree of Vathra, a gift from Illoke Dawnsent, as a peace treaty. Her father swore that the Char would never bring harm to the elves of Ela'syn and in exchange, their lust to burn would be sated with wood that could never burn. It was the only pact that she could never break as the magic in the wood could and most likely would dissipate, assuming it could know that they brought harm on an elf. Parting with this object for an extended period of time would mean that without a source to burn, they'd end up killing themselves by the elemental power that lived within
them. Vinesca carried two pieces herself, one for her and the other for their father as he was revived. Or in this case, eventually.
A tight corridor forced Vinesca to have her sister be carried on her back until they reached the end. She ensured there was no one behind or ahead of them. She carefully sat Sinesca down and slumped down in the tight passageway.
Vinesca began to run many options through her mind. First and foremost, they needed to escape Stoneholt and go east. Resurrecting their father was for now, out of their grasp. Months of planning had failed. Now, they'd let Kaydren know the cost of being a Char, for himself.
“As your blood turns to the blood of the earth, your traitorous body will succumb. Your soul will burn and you will know a pain that is eternal.” Vinesca thought as she imagined the dwarf being consumed.
Chapter 2- The Fall
The gates had shut. What would be considered an army, stood ready to protect their home upon the dwarf-made bridge that connected the mountain city to a cliff. This allowed for the dwarves to bottleneck their enemies into fighting them, making numbers seemingly pointless.
The King of the Ela’syn elves, Illoke Dawnsent, stood at the front of his army, only a few hundred yards from the nearest dwarf. The shorter race did not budge an inch. Illoke continued to suppress the urge of eliminating this pathetic excuse of an army and siege Stoneholt City. The treaty that they had signed with the Four Kings had gone broken with the utter destruction of their outpost in between Ela'syn city and Stoneholt. It lay in ruin, though absent of casualties; but it did demand answers. Answers that King Kaydren would personally deliver.
Illoke stood a glorious six feet tall with long white hair and the bluest eyes any elf had ever seen. His attire included a long white robe, tailored with gold and emerald colored chest piece and carried a long wooden staff. Few knew that this staff was made from the Mother Tree in Vathra and empowered him when wielded.
