Emeriss gave out a joyful laugh. “I will take that as a compliment. You are right however it has been nearly six hundred years since the last time the rite was performed.” Her face suddenly looked downcast and forlorn. “Even then it was a rare occasion for a mage to seek us out. The Brotherhood has done their job well.”
“The Brotherhood will not be around much longer if I have much of a say in the matter,” Thad said, his eyes burning with intense hatred.
“I can understand your hatred of the Brotherhood but don’t let it blind you to the dangers my young friend. From what I have heard the Brotherhood has lost much of its power since the days of the Empire, but that is not to say they are weak. They have many spies and men spread throughout the world.”
“I have learned this, but they have to have a base, some place they receive their orders from. I will find it, and I will destroy it,” Thad replied through gritted teeth.
Emeriss sighed, “I can see that I have little chance of swaying you from your path, though honestly I don’t see why I should. The Brotherhood is a bane to the world, but I would hate to see the first mage that has reached us in such a long time to end up on one of their stakes.” Emeriss stared at him intensely her eyes burrowing into him. “If I cannot sway you from your path. I might at least be able to point you in the right direction. The Brotherhood comes out of the country of Rane.”
“Rane?” Thad asked, his voice revealing his surprise.
“I see you have heard of it, though if you are from Farlan I shouldn’t be surprised. Though we elves do not leave our shores we still watch the outside world, in hopes of one day being able to rejoin it. About four hundred years ago the Brotherhood was quickly losing strength and needed a stronghold. The land was still divided and new countries were rising out of the fallen empire. One of those countries was Rane, though at the time they were weak as they had been the center for much of the succession wars. The Brotherhood offered the new king a deal. They would help secure the Kingdom if he would allow them free rein within its borders. The Brotherhood then set up a merchant network so they could travel to other lands without drawing undue notice. To this day they use the merchant caravans to move their soldiers and to gather information.”
“Thank you for the information,” Thad said weakly. “I am tired. I believe I should retire, that is if you have a room available for me.”
Emeriss picked up the small bell and rang it again. “I understand, we will talk again on the morrow.” Within moments the young elven maid appeared in the room. Emeriss talked briefly to her before turning back to him “Larissa shall escort you to your chambers. If you need anything do not be afraid to request it.”
“Thank you Lady Emeriss,” Thad said as he stood from his chair and followed Larissa from the hall.
Thad was led to a large chamber that was magnificently furnished. Thad pushed aside the silken screens that shrouded the bed and lay down. It had been a busy day, one that he would not soon forget. The news about Rane and the Brotherhood had been particularly enlightening.
It made sense, though he would have never suspected it, had it not been pointed out to him. The merchant guild would be the perfect disguise for their activities. There was not a kingdom in all of Kurt that did not feel the presence of the merchants of Rane. Thad didn’t know if destroying the merchant guild would hinder the Brotherhood overly but he was keen on finding out.
The easiest way to get to Rane would be through Farlan, but Thad knew there would be a good chance the Brotherhood would be looking for him there. The only other option would be to sail farther north to Delamar and then travel southeast into Rane.
Delamar was a small kingdom of simple folk made mostly of fisherman and farmers. From his studies in the academy, Thad knew that they were famous for their wines and had close ties with Rane, and the Merchant Guild, so he would have to be careful.
Before drifting off to sleep, Thad thought briefly of his other friends. He hoped they had survived the Brotherhood’s attack but he knew he didn’t have the luxury to search them out, nor did he have the drive. All that held his focus was a burning desire to kill every person who wore the sign of the fox.
CHAPTER VI
Just as she promised, as soon as the first rays of light graced the top of the trees, Emeriss escorted Thad to the council building. It was a large towering building easily twice the size of anything he had seen before. In the center of the building stood a giant tree that looked as if it was large enough to reach past the sky.
Emeriss led Thad to a large room that held a golden table with expensive silver chairs. “I thought there was only fifteen nobles on the council? I count twenty-five chairs in all,” Thad asked as he ran a hand across one of the tops of the chairs.
“We often have visitors and we would be loath to have them stand,” Emeriss explained in her musical voice. “The rest of the council will be here within the hour. I thought it best we arrive first so that we can speak to any of those who arrive early. I doubt they will deny you the rite, but it is better to do everything in our power to increase the chances, even if it is just by a little.”
A sudden thought occurred to Thad making him pale slightly. “Will Reinwood be in the meeting?”
“No, that blowhard is on one of the lower councils. I cannot rightly remember which one but then again there are countless councils. Most nobles belong to at least four or five. As I mentioned last night many elves seek out politics to end their boredom. It is the most popular pastime at the moment, though in a few hundred years most will grow bored with it and dabble in other distractions.” Thad could not mistake the disgust in her voice, making him wonder what the other distractions might be.
The first elf to join them in the council chambers was a youthful looking elf, though Thad knew the look of their age was deceiving. The elf wore an extravagant tunic made of what appeared to be butterflies crafted of spun gold and silver. From the look of discomfort on the elf’s face his attire must have weighed an ungodly amount.
“Lord Thornwood, I see you dress as extravagantly as ever,” Emeriss said, her tone slightly mocking.
Thornwood ran his fingers over the delicate wings of one of the larger butterflies, “Do you like it? One of my artisans finished it for me only this past week. It took him nearly two years to complete the work but I believe it was well worth the wait. The weight makes it a tad uncomfortable though.” The elf’s last word was accented with a sly wink as he laughed about his own pun.
“This must be the young mage that has the whole city in a dither,” Thornwood said, turning to look at Thad with appraising eyes. “Is it true you threw Reinwood out of his own house and beat him in the street with a whip?” Thornwood’s voice had a slight hint of laughter hidden within it.
“I don’t remember using a whip,” Thad said, his tone somber. “I wouldn’t say I threw him either, the pompous fool just happened to get in the way of my spell.”
Thornwood laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. After a few moments he composed himself and clasped Thad on the shoulder. “Well done boy, well done. Reinwood needed a good kick in the pants. Are you here to petition the council to have Reinwood’s nobility rescinded?”
“No nothing of that nature, Lord Thornwood. Our young mage is here to request to go through the rite,” Emeriss said, stepping between Thad and the extravagant lord.
“Ah, I should have guessed. Well the others should arrive shortly so until they arrive why don’t you regale me with stories of your travels my young friend.”
Thad didn’t know to start so he began at his time in the Academy. As his story unfolded other elves began to enter the room but Thad was so focused on his tale he paid them little heed. When he told of his stay in the Farlan palace dungeons a cry out outrage came from those who listened. When he told of his short stay with the Ablaians the elves were shocked and gasped at his treatment and a few gagged when he explained how his foot had been taken from him.
Thad listened to his own story as if he
was a bystander instead of the storyteller. He felt a great pain well up within him as he continued on. His trip through the Underearth tugged at his heart, and when he came to the first time he met with Brianna a solitary tear rolled down his face. When he reached Brianna’s death he wept openly. Great tears flowed down his face, his voice broken by sobs but he continued on. Had Thad not been so absorbed in his own pain he would have saw that every elf in attendance wept with him, some so fiercely it nearly drowned out his words. When Thad finally reached the point where he awoke in Reinwood’s estate and the treatment he had received, cries of outrage filled the room.
His story finished Thad came back to himself and for the first time since he had begun he looked around the room. Every chair had been filled and many other elves filled the chamber, their normally golden faces were now red and blotchy and their gem-like eyes were swollen and puffy.
“That is a tale that could make even the hardest of hearts weep my young friend,” an elf wearing a simple white robe said as he placed his hand comfortingly on Thad’s shoulder.
“Now brothers let us all sit and listen to why a Son of Moriudonius has chosen to visit us.”
Once everyone was seated Emeriss stood and motioned for Thad to do the same. “Thaddeus Torin of Farlan has come to request us to let him perform the rite of passage.”
There was a slight murmur throughout the room. With all the mingled voices it was impossible to tell what any one elf was saying but from the tone of the room he doubted there would be a problem. After some time the elf who had called everyone to attention stood again and gave Thad a brilliant smile. “It will take us some days to get ready for the rite, but you shall have what you desire.”
“May I ask another boon from my gracious hosts?” Thad asked, his voice humble and pleading.
“What more can we do for you my friend? If it within my power I will render any aid you require,” Emeriss replied, her statement quickly repeated by the others within the hall.
“I regret that I will not be able to spend an extended stay without your marvelous city, but I have pressing matters calling upon me. Though I have run into a problem, I have no ship to take me where I need to go.”
“A ship, is that all you require?” one of the elves replied, his voice full of mirth. “We have plenty of ships moored in the dock that have not seen use in ages outside of some fishing. Most of them are too big for a single person to sail but I am sure we can send along a few of our lesser children to see you safely to your destination.”
Thad saw Emeriss flinch at the mention the term lesser children. “I would be greatly honored my Lords, and Ladies,” was Thad’s only reply though he knew Emeriss wished he would say more. He felt a pang of guilt as he looked upon her face but he didn’t want to risk his departure being delayed over interfering with local politics.
Though his issue had been resolved the council had other matters to attend so at Emeriss’s urging Thad excused himself and went off to wander the town and see what mischief he could find.
As he walked among the elves Thad tried to remember that he was in a land only known in legends, but it did little to lighten his heavy heart. He had never known such pain before in his life and he wished to never know it again. What use was love if it ended in such sorrow?
Can you stop your incessant moaning about Brianna. She was a good woman but all your whining will not bring her back, nor will the insane death wish of a plan to assault the merchants guild at Rane. All you will find is your own death if you pursue that path.
“I didn’t ask nor do I want your advice,” Thad replied to his staff. He knew it was suicide to go into the stronghold of his enemy but his anger would accept no less from him. Death was no large price to pay if it would alleviate the pain that now burned within him.
Thad let his feet carry him to the harbor and as the elven lord had promised many vessels filled its docks. Most of the ships were far grander than anything Thad had seen before. Just like the house they seemed to have been built more as a show of status than for practical use but Thad was sure they could still weather the open seas.
As Thad looked over the water at the assortment of ships he spied something in the water. It was larger than any fish he had ever seen so close to land. Bending down Thad tried to get a closer look when the creature darted up its head shooting out of the water only inches from his own face. Thad was surprised and fell back but quickly recovered and began laughing at his own actions.
“You are well manling?” A high-pitched voice said within his head. Thad looked around for the voice knowing it was not from his staff. Thad’s eyes fell on the creature that floated in the water. “We did not know if you lived after we brought you to the door of the elves.”
“You are the one who saved my life?” Thad asked out loud, his face showing his confusion.
The odd creature tilted its head slightly, the surface of its scales glistening like a rainbow. “Yes we saw you in the water and carried you to the isle.”
“The ship I was on, what became of it?” Thad asked, his voice slightly panicked.
“Ships, the large one sank the other was still afloat when me and my brothers carried you away. Some of my brothers tried to help those that were in the water near the ships but they stabbed at us with sword and steel.”
Thad could feel the sadness emanating from the creature. Thad didn’t know if they were his or not but a few tears streamed form his eyes to fall in the water below. “Thank you manling for your salt and water,” the odd creature said in his mind before disappearing back below the water’s surface.
Crusher stood on the deck of the ship, with Avalanche and Arianna beside him, as it limped across the water. It had been five days since the battle with the Brotherhood and they were now nearing the port of Farlan.
After finding Brianna’s lifeless body floating on a piece of driftwood Crusher had wanted to look for Thad, but with the ship in such poor condition the captain had refused to search for the mage. Of Thad, the only thing they found was his staff, discarded on the deck of the ship.
Crusher had feared for his friend’s life until the night before when the staff had suddenly disappeared from his chamber. He knew Thad was alive he just didn’t know where the bloody mage was. He knew his friend to be a resourceful lad, but there was only so much a man could do when faced with the endless rolling waters of the sea.
“Ohhh the light is so pretty,” Arianna exclaimed as the port came into view. The sun was close to ending its arc in the sky only barely peeking over the horizon lighting up the port in bright orange and red.
Crusher felt Avalanche rubbing up against his leg. Looking down he saw the pain in the creature’s eyes. “Ya worried about tha lad ta, eh boy?” At Crusher’s words the large rock hound whined and looked back out toward the water.
He wasn’t sure where Thad might be but he knew where the lad would go if he was still alive. Thad had made it no secret that he planned to return to the Farlan palace and that was where Crusher intended to wait for him.
CHAPTER VII
Though the city was beautiful there was little for Thad to. The marketplace only held the most mundane of objects, meant for the bare essentials of living. With little to do Thad made his way back to the house of Emeriss.
The day before when he had arrived Thad had not been keen on looking around, but now in the full light of day he could fully see and appreciate the splendor of the great house. Every inch of the front of the house had been decorated with carvings of every kind; trees, falling leaves, elves dancing, and animals of every kind. The great door easily stretching ten feet high was the greatest of masterpieces. Instead of being made of large planks the door was made of oddly shaped sections no bigger than his hand, each one carved with its own individual design.
Thad ran his fingers over the individual pieces, tracing the intricate designs with his fingertips. It didn’t take Thad long to notice the tiles told a story when viewed from left to right. The small words were slightly di
fferent than the common tongue but Thad was able to understand them for the most part. It was the small carvings that really brought the story to life before his eyes and it was apparent to Thad that it was a story of the elves creation by their god.
In a time when the gods wept for the loss of their mother they retreated from the world of men. The eldest god Alomar who shared his mother’s love of nature went to the east where great and large forests flourished and animals of every kind lived in harmony to weep for his loss. His heart heavy laden with pain he spent centuries alone but the burden of loneliness weighted heavily upon him.
A large silver leaf maple heard the cries of his heart, and gave up to him a small seed that its beauty may be a balm upon his heart. Alomar planted the seed pouring his lonely heart into it as it grew.
When the young silver leaf maple had reached an age of maturity, a young elf maiden steeped from the boughs of its trunk and approached the grieving god. The maiden was far lovelier than anything the god had seen before and he quickly fell in love. From this union elves were born into the world.
Thad’s fingers lingered on the carvings for a brief moment and he once again recalled his parting with Brianna. Every time he thought of her death he was overwhelmed with a sense of great loss as if everything in the world had lost its color and meaning. He had never cared much for the personal wrongs the world seemed to heap upon his shoulders. He had always been plagued with some misfortune or another and at some point deep inside he had accepted that as his lot life, but why did his misfortune have to include Brianna.
Small sparks of energy arched across his fingers as he opened the door to the large house. As he mindlessly wandered the halls Thad looked at his hand. There was so much magical energy in the area he could tap into without thought. Thad had a few guesses as to why it was so strong but nothing concrete. It could be a natural occurrence but most likely the elven god stayed much closer to his children than they might believe.
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