Chronicles of Eden - Act XI

by Alexander Gordon

  “Well,” Vale slowly said before shrugging. “This was easier than expected. Tie them up, Bermuda. Let’s go home.”

  *****

  Inside VelRyan’s observatory everyone listened as Bermuda finished her story. After she told them all what happened she turned to her father to hear what he had to say about it, the man slowly nodding while eyeing the three children in question with a calm smile.

  “Thank you, Bermuda. I think that clears up what happened tonight pretty well.”

  “Shadow’s Refuge?” Max questioned. Everyone saw him watching Bermuda with a stunned look on his face. “Did you say your home… here… is Shadow’s Refuge?”

  “That’s correct,” Bermuda agreed with a nod. “Have you heard of it before?”

  Max looked around the observatory then to those seated at the table with him, words seeming to fail him as he distinctly recalled that particular name.

  “Max?” Lelu worried. “What is it? Where are we?”

  “Wait a minute,” Grace slowly said, hand held to her chin as she thought carefully about that name. “I’ve heard of this place before. My mom talked about it a few times.”

  “It can’t be,” Max said shaking his head. He glanced over to the drapes hung before the balcony, seeing stars twinkling in the night sky between the two long sheets.

  “Max?” Lelu asked as Max stumbled off the chair and quickly ran over to the curtains, rushing through them onto the overlook outside to see for himself. Grace and Lelu exchanged quick glances then ran over as well while VelRyan casually walked after them.

  Hanging onto the railing of the terrace Max stared with wide eyes at seeing something. The wind softly blew by with a cool touch on his skin while his gaze slowly aimed down. Lelu and Grace rushed over to his sides then jumped as they saw what was below them. The dome structure that was the observatory for VelRyan sat atop a large manor within an expansive remote property. Spacious courtyards with gardens and cobblestone roads were seen below along with adjoining sheltered walkways leading to four large buildings with multiple stories and flat roofs set around the main structure. Elegantly crafted pillars supported the dwellings while atop them on the edges were statues of what looked to be large birds wearing long cloaks and pointed cowls. A fortified stone wall surrounded the compound with circular watchtowers placed at the corners along with two smaller ones overlooking the wooden gate that led into the main piazza. The moonlight from above and the many lit torches throughout the courtyards and walkways gave enough radiance to see the grand estate at night from atop the tallest balcony that the children stood on, however beyond the front gate the land seemed to vanish into the darkness that was presumably The Outerlands.

  “Wow,” Lelu softly spoke. “This… is a big place.”

  “It is quite a sight, yes,” VelRyan commented walking up behind them. “Though if you ask me, the best view is to your left and up.”

  “Left and up?” Lelu repeated. Max and the girls blinked then slowly turned their eyes that way, their mouths opening in surprise as VelRyan looked over as well with an honored smile on his face.

  “After all, it’s what gives this place its unique name. And it’s a wonderful sight at night if I may say so.”

  “Is that…” Grace breathed out.

  “I think it is,” Max slowly said.

  While the front of Shadow’s Refuge led out into The Outerlands, directly behind the protected grounds stood extremely tall and steep mountains, the peaks being so high that it made those that gazed upon them wonder if they actually continued higher still beyond what could be seen under the clouds. However it wasn’t the sheer size of them that the children were staring at in awe, instead it was the soft crimson glow from the mountaintops that made it seem like they were on fire. Max slowly walked over to the side of the terrace and gazed at the wavering red lights that came from the mountains amidst the clouds, that sight alone being enough to confirm his suspicions of where they were. Though if that wasn’t enough what came next certainly helped; an echoing bird’s screech from the lower mountain ranges to their side. The children quickly turned to see a warm glow of light flying through the air above a rocky hillside, the same screech again being made as the light drifted up and passed over the slopes against the moonlit sky. As it did VelRyan and the children could make out a winged figure carrying what looked to be a torch with its foot while it climbed through the air towards the red lights high above the land.

  “Was that…” Lelu slowly asked.

  “A harpy,” VelRyan confirmed. “Likely a night watchwoman making her rounds through the area.”

  “Then that means…” Grace quietly realized.

  “Red Peak,” Max said pointing up to the mountain tops. “That’s Red Peak!”

  “Haha!” VelRyan laughed with a nod. “That’s right, Max. That is Red Peak above us, home to the harpies and their chieftess who resides over their kin here in Koskaysil.”

  The children turned to him in stunned silence as he looked up and admired the red lights atop the mountain.

  “It gets its name because of the fires that light their village during the night. Harpies live up there, hundreds of them. In fact, what you are able to see right now isn’t nearly all of them. The mountains actually go further up, what you’re seeing now is merely the lower settlements in their village. The ones higher up are hidden by the smoke and clouds that hug the mountains.”

  VelRyan then gestured around at the compound they were in, the children looking at the buildings and courtyards as the man gazed over his home with a proud smile.

  “And here in the shadow of those peaceful highlands lies Shadow’s Refuge. This is where-”

  “Wait a second,” Max nervously stuttered. “That’s… that’s Red Peak above us? Then that means… holy shoot! We’re nowhere near my home anymore! We’re on the southern border of Koskaysil, inside Shadow’s Refuge!”

  “That’s impossible,” Lelu fretted looking back and forth between Red Peak and VelRyan. “How did we end up all the way down here in such a short amount of time?”

  “You are welcome!” Vale happily announced as she flew out from the curtains and took a graceful bow. “It was nothing really. Just a hint of magic and a spice of awesome, that’s how I did the impossible for you. Free of charge too I might add.”

  “Welcome?” Grace repeated. “Welcome? What the hell? This isn’t a good thing you little insect, this is a nightmare! Now I’m fucking days, maybe even weeks, away from getting back home! Why the fuck did you bring me way down here to some stupid mountain anyway? Why?”

  “We made a mistake,” Bermuda sighed as she walked through the drapes. “Vale misunderstood what Silly-”

  “Do not call me that ridiculous nickname!” Syliandanchevas whined as she quickly hopped out behind her. “My name is Syliandanchevas! It’s not that hard to say!”

  “Vale misunderstood her,” Bermuda continued pointing over to the flustered fey. “We thought she wanted a human, a centaur, and an elf for her alchemy. Turns out she wanted huntan seeds which can be found in cenlurean roots of cenlurean flowers that grow in the forest Green Haven where elves live.”

  “Huntan seeds?” Lelu asked.

  “They’re a key ingredient in a healing potion I’m working on,” Syliandanchevas explained. “They’re very rare, but very powerful for certain kinds of medicine.”

  “She wanted us to go out and bring those seeds back,” Bermuda remorsefully said. “We misunderstood what she wanted and… brought you back instead. Sorry.”

  Max, Lelu, and Grace looked to each other in puzzlement then to Syliandanchevas as she lowered her head in shame.

  “Sorry about the mix-up,” VelRyan said stepping closer to the fey. He gently pet her head while she leaned closer to him with a small smile. “Syliandanchevas is the finest alchemist this side of Eden by a wide margin. She’s an incredibly skilled doctor and crafter of some of the best healing potions you can find anywhere in the world.”

  “M-M-Master V-VelR
yan,” Syliandanchevas quickly stuttered while turning bright red. She continued to stammer something else but it was completely indecipherable to everyone.

  “And she can get a little excited sometimes,” VelRyan chuckled. “She’s been known to… have some difficulty speaking clearly when that happens. Just a little quirk she has. However it appears that little quirk saved all your lives tonight.”

  “What?” Grace scoffed. “How do you figure that?”

  “It seems that if Bermuda and Vale hadn’t ventured out near your home and stepped in when you were attacked you might not have lived past this hour.”

  “I had it handled just fine!” Grace shouted. “I didn’t need their help or anyone else’s!”

  “Who’s Clover?” Vale asked raising a hand.

  “What?”

  “That’s the name you called out before that ogre was about to eat you,” Vale dryly reminded her. “Was that your mom’s name or something? Just wondering, since you screamed it pretty loudly while that monster had you in its hand and was about to chew your head off. Literally.”

  “Shut up you little- grrrh- goddamned- rrrgg!” Grace snarled while turning red.

  “You were fortunate Bermuda and Vale were there to help, young lady,” Syliandanchevas mentioned. “It sounds like you all were in grave danger by those unsavory monsters. You were lucky they were able to protect you and get you away from that place before more of those brutes showed up.”

  “Yeah, we were,” Lelu shuddered holding her arms under her chest. She quickly stepped closer to Max and nuzzled against him while the boy took his time processing everything he was hearing and seeing. He blinked and glanced back to the lower ground behind him then to VelRyan as the man was watching him with a curious smile.

  “Something on your mind, Max?”

  “Shadow’s Refuge,” Max repeated. “I’ve heard of that place before. Located at the base of Red Peak. This place is…”

  “A sanctuary,” Syliandanchevas finished. “Just as I said before.”

  “A monster sanctuary,” Max remembered. “A place where monsters come to for safety.”

  “To be fair,” VelRyan spoke up with a shrug. “Humans are welcome too. We don’t discriminate against any who live in Eden. Though we rarely get a visit from a human in need, probably because of all the monsters who live here.”

  “Monsters live here?” Lelu wondered, looking back to all the other buildings set around the manor with a curious eye.

  “Oh yes, many. Those that are sick or wounded, afraid or alone, or even brought here while being close to death, we take in all who need our help. And we don’t turn any away.”

  Max quickly grabbed the railing while his eyes nervously went from one building to another, envisioning dozens upon dozens of lustful monsters watching him through the darkened windows while suddenly feeling very fearful for his life.

  “Max?” Lelu worried. “What’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong? This is someplace I shouldn’t be! This is Shadow’s Refuge! I’m completely surrounded by monsters here! This isn’t someplace a male should ever go to, my sisters were painfully clear about that!”

  “It’s okay, Max,” Syliandanchevas reassured. “I already told you, you’re perfectly safe here.”

  “How am I safe?” Max demanded. “And how is VelRyan in charge of this place? He’s a man! Everyone here is a monster, why aren’t they… why don’t they-”

  “Rape him?” Bermuda questioned. She slowly skittered closer to Max and gently held his shoulders as the boy trembled fearfully. “Max, there isn’t a single monster on these grounds who would dare try to harm my father. And that goes for you too. You are safe here, I swear.”

  “How can you be sure of that?”

  “Because this is hallowed ground,” VelRyan explained. He pointed over to the statues that rested atop the buildings, with Max then noticing that they were actually of harpies. The boy slowly stopped shaking as Bermuda backed up, with him, Lelu, and Grace looking around at the harpy statues that were seen to be looking down upon the courtyards below them before turning to VelRyan in question.

  “This place was built in the shadow of Red Peak with the blessing of the harpy chieftess, and is considered as revered as their homes up above are. Humans know of this place as somewhere that monsters gather in numbers, likely spoken of in harsh and degrading words I would imagine. But to monsters this place is known very well in a different way.”

  “Sanctuary,” Grace recalled. “That’s what my mom said about this place. It’s a sanctuary for anyone in need of help. Doesn’t matter what race you are, you’re always welcome here no matter what.”

  “Many monsters come here when faced with great trouble,” Syliandanchevas explained. “We’re known to take in any who are sick, hurt, or even dying, and that we will heal their bodies and spirits the best we can without prejudice of what they are. We follow the shamanistic practices of the harpies to the letter and proudly represent the same level of kindness and heart that they do with all life. That’s why I’m a doctor here, I wish to help all that I can with my alchemy.”

  “My father runs this place and watches over all who reside here,” Bermuda spoke with a very clear tone of pride. “He shelters and protects them, both with the blessed land this sanctuary is built upon and because he is a powerful sorcerer in his own right. There isn’t a single soul within these walls that will dare try anything lecherous with him, they know this place is hallowed ground and there is to be no mischief caused for anyone here. And that goes for you too, Max. No monster here will harm you; they’re here to rest and recover, not to cause trouble and lose what little safe haven they have in this world.”

  “You’re perfectly safe here,” Vale agreed. “Just don’t go outside the wall. Out there all bets are off. Only in here you’re safe.”

  “I don’t understand,” Max said shaking his head. “How is it you came to run a sanctuary for monsters if you’re a man?”

  “My wife and I wanted to help others,” VelRyan answered. “When we came upon this place it was in dire need of those that wished to help the less fortunate in the world. We gladly answered that call, and I’m proud to see that we could make a difference with so many lives in doing so.”

  “My mom never mentioned a human was in charge here,” Grace sharply pointed out. “That seems like the sort of thing she would know about.”

  “She probably did,” VelRyan reasoned with a shrug. “If she knew of this place she likely knew about me too. And if she knew of Shadow’s Refuge and of who I am then she also knew something else.”

  “What’s that?” Lelu asked.

  “This is sacred land. A neutral zone. A place for any to come when in dire need of help or shelter. The elven priestess may not have liked the idea of a human man running this sanctuary but the fact stands that he is, and no matter what monsters may think of me the truth is this place is one of the few retreats they have in the world.”

  “Think about it,” Bermuda said to Grace. “Your mother didn’t want to lose safe ground for her people should they need it someday. So of course she wouldn’t have told everyone in Green Haven a human man was in charge here. They would have built up a stigma towards this place and never wanted to come even if they needed to.”

  “But… she… they…” Grace argued before looking down in thought.

  “So the monsters here, do they know?” Lelu wondered.

  “Of course,” VelRyan laughed. “I personally welcome all who come here and do my best to make sure they recover to the best of my ability. Every single monster here knows about me.”

  “And the monsters here don’t try… anything dirty with you?” Max carefully asked.

  “Not at all,” VelRyan said shaking his head. “They understand this is hallowed ground and there is to be no sacrilege of any kind. To the monsters here I’m someone they trust will take care of them while they recover, and in turn they keep their lustful nature hidden from me during their stay. I’m perfectly
safe here and so are you. You could walk right up to any monster you see within these walls and they will not harm a hair on your head, they know the rules and abide by them adamantly. As we’ve said, this is a sanctuary for all. We all treat it as such.”

  Max slowly looked around at the buildings that housed monsters within them while Lelu held onto his arm, the centaur watching her friend with concern as he tried to calm down and hope their words about his safety were true.

  “No monster will threaten you here, Max,” Bermuda reassured. “I swear on my life with that truth.”

  “Alright, that’s enough of all this crap!” Grace shouted as she quickly yanked Max away from Lelu and held him tightly in a headlock. “I don’t need a sanctuary to hide in like a fucking wuss, I just need weapons! Lots of weapons to murder all those assholes who wrecked my home! Take me back to this brat’s home right now, I’m grabbing everything he’s got and I’m going to avenge my mother! And stop squirming and whining, you piece of shit! Be a fucking man!”

  “My life is forfeit, isn’t it?” Bermuda sighed.

  “We didn’t shake on it,” Vale reasoned shaking her head. “We’ll spare you this time.”

  “Let go of him this instant!” Lelu demanded as she grabbed Max’s overalls and tried pulling him free from the elf.

  “Back off, cow!” Grace snapped as she pulled back with the boy’s head. “You can hide here if you want, but I’m not doing anything of the sort! And my servant comes with me, who do you think is going to be carrying all that shit for me? Let’s go people, send us back right NOW!”

  “My dear,” Syliandanchevas nervously said holding a hand out. “Please calm down, and please stop trying to pull Max’s head off.”

  “Well I’m afraid we can’t do that right now,” VelRyan said with a shrug. The girls stopped and looked to him as he slowly shook his head. “You see Vale used most of her power just getting you three here. I’m sorry to say she won’t be able to take you back tonight.”

  “Sorry,” Vale added. “But I’m kind of tired. It’s way past my bedtime. And probably yours too.”