by Lance Wilson
“You know what I think happened with your mother, I don’t think you killed her, I know you didn’t. I am sure that in truth it wasn’t that you took her strength from her, but rather she loved you so much and wanted you to live so much that she gave her strength to you” she says and watches as his eyes light up.
“Are you sure?” he asks, it’s not much but it is something he can grab onto, something that can give him hope.
“Of course I do… so please do us all a favor and forget this idea of leaving us. Today is your Kentonmen and you will need to be clear headed. Your father regrets that he will not be here to take you to the mountain to see the sorceress. But on a lighter note, the noble Arnon is here, and his daughter Ishtar.” Rin says with a little grin. She has watched the two of them many times.
Ishtar has always been a third in the mischief that he and Mellyruna always get into. She also watched as Attonnan and her have gotten vary close, she has caught them more then once sharing a deep kiss in the moonlight, on the other hand she has also seen the same with her and Mellyruna. She is also sure that neither knows of the other but sooner or later she will have to make a choice.
“Ishtar is here?” Attonnan says perking up a bit of a twinkle in his eyes.
“Yes, and I was told that though she won’t accompany you up the hill, she will be joining Vulge to meet you when you come down. Now you are due at the stables in about ten minutes… I expect you dressed and down there, do not forget your blade” she says and stands up.
“What should I wear” he asks calmly but she can hear the nervousness in his voice.
“My dear Attonnan, it doesn’t matter, she is a sorceress, she will see you for what you are, not how you look” she says and walks out of the door.
Attonnan looks around wondering what to wear, finally he decides to put on some regular black pants and shirt. He then throws some looser made chain mail that is a grayish color then over that a black leather jerkin. Finally he straps on his black leather belt with silver studs and his elven sword with black sheath. Taking a look at himself in the mirror he quickly runs a brush through his hair to straighten it out and then grabbing his cloak dashes to the stables. When he arrives he sees that everyone else seems to be waiting for him. Mounted on a large red brown horse is the captain of the guard Vulge. He is dressed in the typical guard outfit. His brother is in bronze breastplate with bronze bracers and shin guards that go up to the knees. A white shirt, a dark brown cotton skirt, and a skirt of leather strips with metal tips. But he is shocked to see his younger half brother Byrdi and his half sister Maeraer. Byrdi is dressed in a steal chest plate and shoulder pads on both sides, as well as steel bracers. He is not dress in a skirt like Mellyruna or Vulge but rather boots with steel shin guards and then a steel skirt that is three tiled sections. His shirt is a light blue as is his pants, his boots are dark brown and he wears a brown leather belt with a dagger at the side, his mother Rin will not allow him to wear a sword yet, although on the side of his horse, a painted pony, he has a lance which is his weapon of choice, he is skilled in it on horseback or on land. His sister Maeraer is dressed in a short red skirt with white pants underneath and light brown boots, her top is white with a red and gold vest, her long hair tied back in a braid. He cannot see them but he knows that tucked in her belt behind her is a set of knives. She is skilled in the art of using two knives. She is mounted on a white pony. He smiles as he sees that Vulge has the rains of a black horse.
“Come on the trip will take a while” Vulge says calmly and smiles at both the young princes.
“Why are they coming, I thought we were the only ones that were to be judged” Attonnan says calmly but smiles at his younger siblings,
“You try to tell them no. Besides Rin thought they could use the practice on a horse, they haven’t done distance” he says and watches as Attonnan mounts the black horse, he then mounts his own horse, a gold color horse with green eyes and white mane.
Nodding to each other they all start a slow trot off to the mountain. Mellyruna takes lead with Vulge next to him, Byrdi takes the place behind them and then Maeraer, and then Attonnan takes the last spot. Riding with his siblings and watching them all talk to each other he wonders how he could have wanted to leave them last night. They ride without words for a while, almost the entire day. The sun is high in the sky and Attonnan knows that it must be mid afternoon. It is then that they come to the base of the mountain. All them look up and see that the tip is high in the clouds. The mountain goes straight up but it is not without its hand and foot holds.
“Now here is how it goes, Mellyruna, Attonnan, you will start here, climb straight if you can. Three quarters of the way up you will find a staircase, a dwarf will meet you at the base of that. Follow his instructions to the letter. He will take you into the heart where you will meet the sorceress. What she tells you is between you and her and your brother, no one else. If you don’t want to talk about it you don’t have to.” Vulge says and smiles at them both.
“What of you and the others” Mellyruna says as Attonnan only stares at the dominating mountain.
“We will stay here, he will lead you back to a place you can climb down and not miss us” Vulge says and then dismounts his horse as there siblings do the same.
Mellyruna takes a deep breath and then begins his climb; Attonnan only takes a deep breath and follows his example. At first the climb is easy but the height they go the more they begin to learn that the hand and footholds become a bit more scares. There are many times that Mellyruna climbs more of a sideways stage then straight up. There is also a time that Attonnan’s eyesight seems better and he quickly passes his brother. Then, then they come to something that stumps them both. They are close to the part that will have the carved staircase. But right in front of them is a ledge that sticks out about three feet above them. Somehow they must climb hanging on this ledge with nothing under them and then pull themselves on to it. Mellyruna is the first to look at the daunting structure.
“Attonnan, can you see a way around it?” he shouts above the high winds.
“No, if you trust me, follow my lead” Attonnan says looking hard at the cliff and seeing a hand hold, but it is dangerous and it may not work, if they fall at this height they will die, there can be no doubts and no room for the faint of heart.
Attonnan then climbs up tell he is right against the ledge, then taking a deep breath he throws one hand out catching just the vary edge of a hand hold. With one arm on the wall and the other on the overhang, he swings his weight out his other hand now taking the edge of the overhang. Mellyruna’s eyes grow huge as he sees his brother dangling, a slip and he’s a goner. He can see his brothers muscles stretch and flex at the strain of the mountain. Then with a grunt he throws his first hand over the overhang now gripping it with both hands, there is a sudden flash of fear as his hand slips and for a few seconds he is hanging only by the tips of his fingers of the right hand. With another grunt he throws his left hand back up and grips hard on the overhang. Slowly he pulls himself up. When Mellyruna can no longer see him he can only wonder and fear for the worst.
“Mellyruna, that overhang is the last section. I can see the staircase, it will be easy from here, you can make it, just do what I did” he shouts out and hoping his brother can hear him.
Taking a deep breath Mellyruna climbs right up to the overhang, then like Attonnan throws his right hand to the small handhold. Now pulled between the handhold and the wall he throws his left hand to the overhang gripping the edge. Right away he can feel his brother grip his hand and arm, he feels himself relax, Attonnan is looking over him. He then throws his right hand to the overhang, and again once he has the edge he feels his brother grip that hand as well, Attonnan then starts to help him up pulling him. Once he is up they look around and he sees they are on a ledge that goes around the entire mountain. The ledge is large enough to lie down on. They can also see the stone
-carved staircase just to the right. They walk comfortably and find that right at the base of the staircase is an older dwarf. He has long gray hair and beard the beard is forked and braided. He is dressed in what looks like some kind of heavy chain mail with a helm with only one horn right in the middle.
“I am Gnar, I will be your guide to the oracle. State your names and rakes” he says calmly
“I am Mellyruna, son of Prince Feff, lord of the Unagi clan just below your great mountain, I am the next in line for the thrown” he says and lowers himself to his knee putting his right fist over his chest
“I am Attonnan, son of Prince Feff, lord of the Unagi clan.” Attonnan says doing the same as his brother
“And your rank Attonnan” the dwarf says taking a deep breath, they are young and he will forgive the minor insult.
“I have no rank, and I know not the vows I will be told to take when we return” Attonnan says remaining knelt.
“Hmmm, yes, Attonnan, we know of you here, as of your brother as well. Come I shall take you to the heart of our mountain, the oracle will see you there.” he says calmly
With that Attonnan and Mellyruna walk up the stairs for a while, then suddenly the dwarf stops and quickly draws his axe.
“You were told to come alone, you dare break our sacred vow.” He says, his eyes blazing like hot coals now.
“I swear to you, we came alone.” Mellyruna says but then suddenly they hear something stirring some rocks behind them. Both Attonnan and Mellyruna draw their blades ready for an attack.
To there surprise around the corner come both Maeraer and Byrdi, both of them now in shock to see the dwarf and their brothers weapons drawn against them.
“Who are you and how did you get here” the dwarf growls furious at the intrusion.
“They are our siblings, this is Byrdi, son of Prince Feff of the unagi clan. The young woman is Maeraer Shyrys only daughter to Prince Feff of the Unagi clan. They are of the same father but not mother. Please spear them this ignorance of the vows.” Attonnan says sheathing his sword and standing in front of the dwarf.
“Hmmm, state your business and how you came” the dwarf says calmly now sheathing his blade
“We too came to see the oracle, we ask no prophecies from her, only to see her at work with our brothers, we came in a path shown centuries ago to Vulge by you. It leads to the stairs… we mean no harm and will leave if you request” Byrdi says his eyes showing of his fear, but that is it, otherwise he give nothing of his emotions away.
“We shall get to the heart, only the oracle will tell if you are to be there, know that once you are there, and you are allowed to stay, you are not to speak of what you see, you are not to do or say anything unless instructed by the oracle” Gnar says with a gruff and growl of a voice.
Gnar then turns grumbling to himself and they continue the journey up to the temple. It is a huge temple, but there are no real walls, only pillars holding up a triangular roof. Gnar seems surprised when he sees an older dwarven woman in a red hooded cloak standing in the middle. In front of her is a small fire and she smiles to see all the visitors. Slowly she walks over and examines them all.
“You two are here by vows, to know your fates and names, you two, curiosity is an elves downfall, but you two shall know your fate. Come sit by the fire.” she says and watches as they each take a seat. She watches closely knowing that the seat they choose is important. To her right Mellyruna sits, then Byrdi, then Attonnan and then last Maeraer. When she sees this she chuckles. The seat to the left, the seat of power is taken by Mellyruna. But it is Attonnan that makes her laugh; he takes the place between his siblings, the place of a protector to his younger.
“You are all lucky to come to me this year, for this year is the year of the dragon, he has always bore great gifts for those willing to take them. Mellyruna, you will get the heart of the dragon, strong and fierce. You shall rule over all the elf lands, but your path there will be stained with blood, blood of enemy and allies alike. You shall in the end be known as a just king with a good strong family. I see no name for you, the name chosen is well enough.” She says gazing deep into the fire,
For what seems like forever she is silent, then she smiles as she looks up at Byrdi.
“Byrdi, you are gifted with the claws of the dragon, a rebel, you fight for the people with your banners high, I fear you will be one of the many that will fight against your own brother, but do not fear, he shall come to terms and you two shall embrace each other as family in the end, you will be there when his son is born, and when his son takes the thrown, you will be a great advisor and strategist” she says and again looses herself in the fire.
Attonnan watches as Byrdi and Mellyruna look hard at each other, how could they fight one another, they are brothers and as close as they come. On the other hand, she has never been wrong.
“Maeraer, you will be the flower that brings peace between two clans, you will have an honorable husband who will cherish and love you. With his love you will bring peace to the clans, peace without the draw of a blade” She says and gently places a hand on Maeraer’s shoulder.
Attonnan only grows more and more nervous, so far all of them are meant for great things, Mellyruna a king of two lands, Maeraer, a bringer of peace though marriage, but love as well. And Byrdi, a leader to rebellion against what he can only assume is Mellyruna though he’s not sure how.
“You Attonnan, your path is a long one, you are gifted with the dragons fang, no… . the demons fang. Your blade shall bring fear to all your enemies, it shall be known though all the lands as well as the council of the gods. Blood shall soak your vary soul. You shall wander alone for what will seem like forever, your family will never know the true you, but you will come to there aid many times. Your name will go the histories of all people, but it will not be the name of the second born, it is the name of that gifted to you, Fang, you will be a slave, a conqueror, a rebel, a shadow, a slayer of elves and gods, but always as you are now, a protector” she says her eyes focusing only on him everyone is now looking at him in shock. Men and gods alike shall fear his blade? That is what she said.
“I… . I think you must be mistaken, I am no warrior.” Attonnan says calmly but his voice quivers in her presence.
“Oh… tell me where you sit and why” she asks calmly and watches as Attonnan looks around him.
“I sit in the middle, between my two younger siblings and right across from you” Attonnan says calmly but thinks for a moment, she is right, it is the perfect place to protect both of them, either by blocking a blow, or going for her right away.
“You see it now… . I am never wrong. Gnar shall show you down. Although two of you already know the path.” She says with a chuckle.
“Is there anything else you see that we might need to know” Attonnan says calmly, hoping she will tell him something about what her and his father were talking about, about payment, why she would want the strongest of his sons.
“What are you asking young elf.” She says, her smile already tells him that she knows vary well what he is asking.
“I overheard a conversation about myself, between my father and your escorts, you have met us all and I was wondering, what is your decision” he asks trying not to give anything away in front of his siblings, incase he is chosen and has to leave them, he wants no ill feelings. It was after all his father that made the deal.
“You are a observant young man, what do you know and I shall tell you what you obviously do not, nor did your father know” she says and sits back.
“I know he made a vow to you, I don’t know the vow, only that you are to choose the strongest of us for your own” he says and looks over at Mellyruna, he can only hope that it is not his brother that is chosen. It would break Rin’s heart, as well as the hearts of his siblings.
“Hmmm, yes a vow was made, more like a pact and a deal,
but that is of no concern, and it is not always myself that makes the decision. I shall ask you a question. Which of all four of you do you think is the strongest… let us put this to everyone, who do you think is the strongest” she ask calmly and watches as all of them look at each other.
“The answer is obvious, Mellyruna” Attonnan says lowering his head, he didn’t want to loose his older brother but even he has to admit that he is the strongest.
“I don’t think so… . on that mountain, I was terrified, that overhang, I was about to give up. No, your stronger then I” Mellyruna said now staring right at his brother Attonnan
“I’ve seen the beatings, the lashes, the blood, father has not done any of that to the rest of us. Your clearly the strongest of us” Maeraer said now looking down
Attonnan only looks down at the ground, Mellyruna now staring at him in shock. He knows that none of the others knew about the beatings that his father gave him growing up. When ever he was wrong about something, or out of line his father would have his hands tied, then would hang him by a beam so that only the tips of his toes were touching the ground, then he would be whipped, never did his father finish before there was blood, front and back. He never told anyone; his father would leave him there. Rin found him once and took him to his room tended to the wounds. The only reason Maeraer found out about them was because one mourning she hugged him and felt the bandages from the previous beating. She swore never to tell Mellyruna or Byrdi.
“Did he, did he really do that.” Byrdi asks his eyes now welling up with tears.
Attonnan only nodded then stared at the ground, he never wanted them to think about their father in that way. Their father loves them, all of them, well, all but him.
“What, what about you” Byrdi asked calmly looking at the other.
