The Twins

by Gary Alan Wassner

  Spring brought with it an abundance to the landscape that Pardatha had not seen for many tiels. Fresh growth sprouted everywhere, particularly on the banks of the newly formed river, and the formidable trees that now divided the plains from the hills beyond, continued to blossom ceaselessly, and they grew denser and thicker with each passing day. The barrier that they formed became a shield against the enemy from the south as well as a place of comfort and safety for the people of the city. The petals from the ever-blooming flowers fell like snow flakes upon the moist and fertile soil and created a realm of fantasy for the young lovers of the city, a place to which they flocked; a place of beauty, love and peace. Small boats could be seen upon the young river almost all the hours of the day, and the citizens of Pardatha were immersed in a new sense of tranquility that they had sorely missed and now greatly appreciated.

  The pillar of quartz that stood as a monument to Calista of the Island, radiated a myriad of dazzling colors during the daylight hours, and it was a beacon upon the calm waters of the lake, reflecting the moonlight during the dark hours of the night.

  Cairn, Filaree and Robyn planned their trip to Lormarion, and they decided that Prince Elion would guide them, accompanied by Tomas, Preston and Calyx, naturally. Baladar reluctantly relinquished the golden ring that Calista had endowed with the power to awaken Davmiran, into the care of the Prince of the Southern Elves, the only other member of the party who knew Davmiran personally and the one who had unwittingly saved him from suffering the ordeal of the recent battle.

  The Lord of Pardatha did not feel that he could abandon his city for as long as it would be necessary to train and educate the heir, and he felt that his rightful place was with his people. Elion was honored by the responsibility, and he promised to guard the ring with his life until his return to Seramour where he would use it to bring Davmiran Dar Gwendolen back into this world that needed him so much and waited so patiently for his return. They all pledged to come back to Pardatha with the twins as soon as they could, and it would be from here that they would plan and begin their quest in search of the First and the Gem of Eternity.

  Baladar made his strange and wonderful birds available to his associates so that they could communicate with their loved ones back home. Word was sent to King Treestar and Queen Elsinestra that their son was safe and that he would be returning to Seramour with his new friends. Baladar received a reply from the Elfin nation that expressed both gratitude that all turned out as it had as well as hope for the future. Davmiran was safe and healthy, but he remained oblivious to all that occurred around him despite the best efforts of Elsinestra in her capacity as his healer. They waited in the Heights anxiously for their son’s return.

  One afternoon, when the sun was high in the eastern sky and the people of Pardatha basked comfortably in its warmth, a group of Dwarfs appeared on the hills behind the city, led by a strong looking man with a dark, braided beard, woven with silver threads, that hung almost to the ground before him. The leader beat upon the hard stone with the hilt of his heavy axe and announced his presence to the city.

  Brimgar Daggerfall was reunited with his son Preston in the presence of his new friends, and he was told of his recent exploits as well as of his future plans. The young Dwarf had gained an honest sense of confidence since his encounter with Tomas, Cairn and Calyx and he had matured into an admirable young adult in this short span of time. His father looked upon his son with a new respect and a growing pride, and he assured him that his physical stature would never again be spoken about with anything less than the highest of regard. Brimgar was welcomed into the city, and he spent a fortnight communing with Baladar and the others and spending some much needed time with his now distinguished son. When he departed the city, he left with his pledge of support for the new alliance solidly on the table, along with strong words of love and encouragement for his son and his son’s companions.

  Filaree sent the sad news of Cameron’s death back to her mother in Avalain, and she promised to return home as soon as she was able to, though she advised her mother that it would be some time before that would be possible. Queen Esta responded with words of her undying love, and placed no filial or emotional demands upon her daughter, other than that she not allow her grief to harden her heart. She promised Filaree that the city would set aside a day of mourning in honor of Cameron, and that his sacrifice would be remembered always. She affirmed her and her country’s commitment to the alliance and vowed to do whatever was required to help defend against the encroaching darkness.

  Robyn dar Tamarand spent a quiet and solitary afternoon in deep meditation, linking with Promanthea and communing with him in his own unique manner. His tree still radiated strength and vitality, and his fears that Promanthea would succumb to the despair that took the lives of his brethren were temporarily assuaged. He then communicated through his relic briefly with his father in order to ascertain his state of health and to reassure him of his own.

  His father notified him that inquiries had reached him from the western Elves, specifically from Alemar, daughter of the Alpen King, as to his whereabouts and his well being. Robyn declared his love for his father in no uncertain terms, and he asked him to reply to the Elves on his behalf and advise them of the developments in the south, and to tell them that he would visit as soon as time and circumstances permitted.

  He also urged his father to remain ever vigilant and to not allow his countrymen to despair, despite the continuing demise of the trees. He requested of his father that he inform the people of the struggle in the south and of the efforts that were being made on everyone’s behalf to eradicate the pestilence that had stricken the land, in the hope that this knowledge would help to strengthen and maintain their resolve.

  Cairn and Calyx spent their leisure time walking through the forest above the lake and gazing upon the crystal as often as possible. For the first time since he departed his home, Cairn spread out his game of life and studied the pieces, learning what he could about the events to come, speculating and devising, analyzing and planning, examining the contingencies and deducing the possibilities therefrom. All those he cared deeply about were here with him in Pardatha, and Calyx aside, he felt blessed by his new found friendships, particularly Tomas’.

  Tomas and Preston had a brief opportunity to be boys once again. They frolicked in the hills above the city, swam in the warm waters of the river, fished, laughed and genuinely enjoyed their respite from the stress and strain of the trying weeks that preceded this hiatus. Tomas’ green eyes glittered with life, and he seemed to grow in strength and beauty with each passing day. Preston, perhaps due to the good food and the exercise, also continued to grow, although to his own chagrin, mostly in height. It seemed as if he was destined to be the tallest Dwarf ever to come out of the Thorndars

  Baladar spoke with each of his charges, advising them and cautioning them, teaching them what he knew of the legends and the words of the Tomes of Caradon, and he repeated to them all that he could of what Calista had imparted to him. He entrusted the powder of creation in confidence to Cairn, telling him of Calista’s words and enjoining him to guard it with his lifeblood and to use only on behalf of one of the heirs, and then only if the situation was one of life and death. He imparted to them all the knowledge that he could about Colton dar Agonthea, and the mind of this monster as he understood it.

  Baladar assured them all that he would work ceaselessly during their absence to learn whatever he could from the great books and histories, and that he would communicate with them whenever possible. He was torn between his responsibilities to his people in Pardatha and his imperative to prepare the heir. But, he knew in his heart that he was not meant to be a principal player in the game that was now beginning. He had enacted his part in the casting and in the calling, and now it was time to pass the torch on to the others.

  Baladar was never more confident in anyone or anything as he was in this diverse and extraordinary group of individuals. He knew that Briland too would ha
ve agreed with this analysis, and he believed that her essence was still present in this world in some form or other, and that the goodness and strength that characterized her very being would accompany the two boys, and all of the others, on their perilous and all important journeys to come.

  They all lingered in Pardatha a little longer than they knew they should have, savoring the days and the fleeting last moments, while relaxing as best they could. Everyone knew when it was time to leave and they barely had to discuss it. Early one morning, just before the leaves began to turn and the fall winds began to blow, the group of adventurers assembled in the courtyard of the castle with their bags packed and their horses saddled and ready.

  Baladar joined them in this pre dawn hour and bade them all an emotional farewell. He had made certain that they were well provisioned, and he took great care in seeing to their travel needs. The trip to Lormarion would not be a difficult one, and it was understood that they would communicate their progress along the way.

  When everyone was mounted and ready to go, Baladar led them to the open gates atop Porta and he watched intently as they rode toward lake Everclear, up and over the ridge above the newly named River of Tears and then through the forest on the opposite side. He stood there unmoving until they disappeared from view, and then he turned Porta around and walked solemnly back through the Noban gates, overcome by emotion, knowing that a great age had ended, and certain that a new one had already begun.

  Glossary

  List of Characters, Items and Places

  A

  Acire. Lalas tree. Tenth tree to die. Theran’s Bondmate.

  Adrianna. One of the forsaken women. Colton’s evil worker.

  Alemar. Elfin Princess of Eleutheria. Daughter of Whitestar and Aliana.

  Aliana. Elfin Queen of Eleutheria. Whitestar’s first wife. Alemar’s Mother.

  Alicea. Alemar’s great, great, great, great grandmother. Iscaron and Kala’s daughter.

  Aliya. Queen of Crispen. King Bristar’s wife.

  Angeline. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Armadiel. Snake of Recos.

  B

  Baladar. Ruler of the city of Pardatha in the Thorndar Mountains. Husband to Briland.

  Behani. One of the Drue.

  Beolan. Elfin Prince of Crispen. Bristar and Aliya’s son.

  Bethany. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Blodwyn. Chosen of Lalas Lilandre.

  Briland. Chosen of Lalas Snihso. Lord Baladar’s wife.

  Brimgar Daggerfall. Thorndar dwarf. Maringar and Preston’s father.

  Bristar. Elfin King of Crispen. King of the Mountain Elves. Aliya’s husband. Father to Beolan.

  C

  Cairn of Thermaye. One of the three called to educate Davmiran.

  Calipee dar Tamarand. Baron. Laord of Tamarand. Robyn dar Tamarand’s father.

  Calista. Lady of the Island. One of the Council.

  Calyx. Moulant. Cairn’s friend and protector.

  Carlisle. Chosen of Lalas Mintar.

  Caroline. Daughter of Conrad and Sophia.

  Carthane. Lalas tree. Paras’ Bondmate.

  Caryssa. Sea Elf.

  Colton Dar Agonthea. The Evil One. The Dark One. Lord of Sedahar. Premoran’s brother. CalledCaeltin D’Are Agenathea by the Elves.

  Connor. Chosen of Lalas Catalan.

  Conrad. Father to Caroline.

  Courtney. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Crea. Chosen of Lalas Wayfair.

  Crispen. Kingdom of the Mountain Elves.

  D

  Dahlia. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Dalloway. Elfin Prince of Seramour. Youngest son of Treestar and Elsinestra.

  Dashiel. Chosen of Lalas Nemaroe.

  Davmiran. One of the twins. Tomas’ brother. Garold and Lewellyn’s son.

  Dorothea. Duchess of Talamar. Wife of Leonardo.

  Drue. Protectors of the Hollows. Came into existence after the death of the first Lalas.

  E

  Edmond. Chosen of Lalas Xia.

  Eleutheria. Ice City. Kingdom of the Northern Elves.

  Elion. Elfin Prince of Seramour. Eldest son of Treestar and Elsinestra.

  Elsinestra. Elfin Queen of Seramour. Treestar’s wife. Elion, Fallean and Dalloway’s mother.

  Emerial. Elfin Queen of Eleutheria. Whitestar’s second wife. Mother to Kalon.

  Emmeline. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Esta par D’Avalain. Queen of Avalain. Filaree’s mother.

  Etan of Balstair. Knighted by Margot, forsaken by Colton.

  F

  Fallean. Elfin Prince of Seramour. Second son of Treestar and Elsinestra.

  Farrow. Lalas Tree. Bondmate of Harton.

  Filaree par D Avalain. Princess of Avalain. Daughter of Esta. One of the three called to educate Davmiran.

  G

  Gretchen. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Gwendolen. High Kingdom. Kingdom that was destroyed by Colton. Birthplace of the twins.

  H

  Harlan Goodheart. Discoverer of the darkening.

  Harton. Chosen of Lalas Farrow.

  Hollows. Forbidden places.

  I

  Iscaron. Ancient Elfin King of Eleutheria. Kala’s husband.

  Ishdomar. Lalas tree. Third tree to die.

  J

  Jocasta. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  K

  Kalon. Prince of Eleutheria. Half brother of Alemar. Whitestar and Emerial’s son.

  Kettin. Lord of Talamar. Son of Leonardo and Dorothea.

  L

  Lana. Princess of the Sea Elves. Daughter of Windstorm.

  Leonardo. Duke of Talamar. Husband of Dorothea.

  Liam. Chosen of Lalas Oleander.

  Lilandre. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Blodwyn.

  Lormarion. Kingdom of the Southern Elves.

  M

  Marathar. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Pithar.

  Margot. One of the forsaken women.

  Maringar Daggerfall. Thorndar dwarf. Eldest son of Brimgar Daggerfall. Preston’s brother.

  Markal. Lord. Master of Arms in Avalain.

  Marne. Loyal friend and personal aide to Queen Esta.

  Merala da. Capital city in the Sea Isles.

  Mira. Nursemaid who raised and protected Davmiran.

  Mintar. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Carlisle.

  N

  Nemaroe. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Dashiel.

  O

  Odelot. The Dead City.

  Oleander. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Liam.

  Ormachon. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Tomas.

  P

  Paras. Chosen of Lalas Carthane. Became sick and broke his bond with Carthane. Went to Praxis.

  Parsifal. Leader of the Knights of Avalain.

  Pembar. One who mutated into a tree. Resides in the Winding Woods outside Avalain.

  Percepton. Protector of the Forest of the Winds.

  Phero. Chosen of Lalas Relamon.

  Pithar. Chosen of Lalas Marathar.

  Premoran. Wizard. One of the Council. Brother of Colton. Keeper of the shards.

  Preston Daggerfall. Thorndar dwarf. Son of Brimgar Daggerfall. Brother of Maringar.

  Promanthea. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Robyn dar Tamarand.

  R

  Relamon. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Phero.

  Rella. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Robyn dar Tamarand. Chosen of Lalas Promanthea. One of the three chosen to educate Davmiran. Son of Baron Calipee.

  Rose. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  S

  Safira. Wife to Trevor. Raised Tomas.

  Sedahar. Colton’s home.

  Seramour. Treetop city in the Kingdom of Lormarion. Home to the Southern elves.

  Sevilla. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Sidra. Sorceress who declined to be bonded with Promanthea.

  Silandre. Mountain in Crispen.

  Snihso. Lalas tree. Bondmate of B
riland.

  T

  Tallon. Town of the Chamber of the Roots.

  Tamara. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  Teetoo. Weloh (last of the race of winged humans). Friend to Premoran.

  Theran. Chosen of Lalas Acire.

  Tiel. The equivalent of six years.

  Tobias. Chosen of Lalas Torenth.

  Tomas. One of the twins. Chosen of Lalas Ormachon. Brother of Davmiran. Son of Garold and Lewellyn. Raised by Trevor and Safira.

  Tomes of Caradon. Recorded history of the land as well as premonitions for the future. The Great Books.

  Torenth. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Tobias.

  Treestar. Elfin King of Seramour. King of the Southern Elves. Husband to Elsinestra. Father of Elion, Fallean and Dalloway.

  Trevor. Husband of Safira. Raised Tomas.

  Trialla. Evil sorceress in league with Colton.

  V

  Violet. One of the twelve Sisters of Parth.

  W

  Wayfair. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Crea.

  Whitestar. Elfin King of Eleutheria. King of the Northern Elves. Husband to Emerial. Father of Alemar and Kalon.

  Windstorm. Elfin King of the Sea Isles. Brother of Elsinestra. Father of Lana.

  X

  Xia. Lalas tree. Bondmate of Edmond.