“Were we going Ergan,” Cominus asked trying not to watch Aryl and Darjin who was sitting on her shoulders.
What you still mad about what happen yesterday,” Darjin asked resting on Aryl's shoulders.
Maybe, maybe not,” Cominus said shielding his mind form hers.
Don’t be like that,” Darjin said leaping off Aryl's shoulders. “You know I meant no harm,” she said jumping into his arms as he bent down to pick her up.
Is that your way of saying your sorry,” Cominus asked stroking her tiny head. Even only a day in the elven city Darjin had grown several inches. How fast is she going to grow he asked himself.
You can say that,” Darjin said brushing
her chin against his. Taking her place on his shoulders as she had done during there trip to Shadleel.
“I want to thank you for taking care of Darjin last night. I also wish to apologize for yelling at you last night,” Cominus said trying to keep thoughts from touching the surface of his mind. Aryl grabbed her staff, and headed for the door, as she turned the doorknob she stopping studying the man. Trying to keep the thoughts she had during the night from bubbling out of her mouth.
“It was my pleasure my lord to see to Darjin, there is no need for you to apologize I enjoyed it,” Aryl said as the door closed behind her. Blood began to rush to Cominus face as the door swung closed.
“Oh my boy I think you have an admirer,” Redbird said slapping Cominus on his back. “We travail to the plains of Olma which
rest near the Lock of sorrow,” Ergan said growing restless from the useless chatter.
“Lead on my good man,” Redbird said
waiting for Ergan to take the lead. The three
traveled to the training grounds were he hoped
to best his friend, Aryl's words still rung in his
ears. Cominus began to notice the fine features
that Aryl had once tried to hide when she wore
her robes. As the three reached the training
ground Cominus watched as the other elves
trained with swords, pikes, bows and other
strange weapons that he never could have
imagine. Ergan walked over to a weapon rack
setting down his broad sword for a wooden replica. Motioned Cominus to do the same, seeing how Cominus favored duel swords over sword and shield.
“Now come at me with all you got young dragon rider,” Ergan said with a smirk on his lips. The two danced around each other in a circle for a minute. Before Cominus came at Ergan with a lunged, Ergan blocked the first blow with his shield and parried the next with his sword. As the two battled each other neither of them gaining ground Cominus doubted he could get pass the man’s defenses yet that would not stop him from trying. Cominus landed a lucky hit on Ergan ribs, as Ergan winced in pain Cominus spun around to attack Ergan right side. Before he could land the killing blow, Ergan moved at incredible speed blocking his blow.
“Good you took advantage of my pain,” Ergan said ignoring the throbbing pain in his ribs.
“How did you move so fast,” Cominus asked gasping for air.
“All elves have the gift of agility,” Ergan said forcing blood back into his arms. “Could humans ever match an elves speed?”
“Only with enchantments."
“Can we go again,” Cominus asked eager to prove his friend wrong. Ergan nodded to Cominus posing themselves for battle once again he tried with all skill he had to get though Ergan defenses. With no avail, Ergan blocked or parried the blows, as fast as he was Cominus could not get though. It was mid afternoon before the two retired from their sparing match. With Redbird watching the match judging his lords skill he felt confident that with time he could be a great rider. Aryl called the three over for their midday meal. As Cominus approach, he saw Aryl standing in the sunlight her hair waving in the air. Her robe rustling in the wind, the light gleaming off of her midnight blue skin. Cominus saw her in all her beauty as she stood there as a newborn god
dess.
“Is something wrong my lord,” Aryl said
knowing she had drawn his eye.
“It’s nothing," Cominus said trying not to
blush. "So what are we having today,” he asked
though he knew Darjin was more eager to dig
into the food then he was. Cominus had noticed
Darjin had grown a full foot since she hatched
for him only two days ago. Cominus wonder
how fast would she grown before she reached
her full size. Cominus looked down at her as
Darjin eyed a large turkey leg grabbing the leg
he set it to his right.
With cat like agility, Darjin pounced on
the turkey leg as if she were stalking a rat. Unable to take his eyes off her Cominus tried his
best to take his mind off the elven beauty.
Morning dawned on the second day of the companions stay in the elven city of Shadleel. Redbird knocked on Cominus's door, rubbing the
sleep from the eyes Cominus placing his hand on the knob. As the door swung open standing before him was Redbird dressed in his finest
robes of the dwarfen nation.
“Morning my lord how was your sleep." “Slept like a baby that was the softest bed I
have ever slept on in my life,” Cominus said
yawning.
“Good, good the elves put enchantments
on the beds to soothe ones distress," Redbird
said wondering how he would fare at the temples. “Shall we go my lord,” Redbird asked
feeling underdressed to visit the temples of the
races of Terra Drago. With a wave of his hand,
Redbird told him that all would be fine. For it
would be wise for a human to understand the
ways of the people he is fighting for. As Cominus and Redbird neared the door, Aryl rushed
out of her room with Darjin on her shoulders. “What is the matter Aryl,” Cominus asked
placing his hand on Aryl's slender arm. As Aryl's perfume filled Cominus nostrils, he noticed
the hints of honey and raspberry. Cominus
could not help to relish in her scent if all the
humans were to meet an elven woman. The human race would surly die out if they knew of
an elven beauty. As her silver eyes fell on him,
he could feel the blood burning to his cheeks. "There is nothing wrong my lord I wish to
join you on your journey to the temple,” Aryl
said turning her face. So Cominus could not
see the blushing of her cheeks. For his touch
made Aryl’s blood pump faster and faster
every time they were near. Redbird wondered what was taking place between the two. As the three made their way through the streets of Shadleel all eyes were upon Cominus. He knew he was the talk of the town since he had arrived here. He knew that even after he left Shadleel. That would continue for many more, still to have so many people distrust and detest him. For crimes that he had no part of what had hap
pen to their world.
Yet he would not let this deter him from
what he had to do. It was mid morning before
they had reached the dwarfen temple. As the
twenty foot tall wooden doors swung open,
twelve stone statues lined the lofty walls. As
the morning light came into the temple there
stood a lone statue over looking the other eleven. Carved from the most beautiful marble in
the land. Aryl placed her slender hand into
Cominus firm hand, the touch of her soft skin
made his pulse race. Leading the way Redbird
stepped into the dwarfen temple. Turning to his
left, Redbird raised his hand to the carving of a
female dwarfen god.
“Here stands the goddess Ogaris master of
beast, and from whom I am named,”
Redbird
said Cominus could see the pride fill the
dwarf's eyes.
“Here stands Koil the stepson of mighty
Nido, he is the god of lies,” Redbird said with a
scowl on his face told Cominus he did not favor this god. Heading towards the next two
statues Cominus saw Redbirds mood lighten as
he faced the stone gods.
“Orsetfi the god of justice, Jareyf the goddess of love and homes,” continuing on to the next Cominus saw the mighty dwarf strode with pride. As he named the gods of his religion to his friend, Cominus marveled at the workmanship of the statues. “Garbi the god of wine and song many feast have been thrown in his honor. Adiks the sister of Garbi she stands for light and music,” heading towards the next two statues Redbird never skipped a beat as he neared the stone gods.
“Lemdhall the god of time and dreams, his warrior son Rty the god of war,” Cominus studied all the statues so far he was overwhelmed by the skillfulness. That the dwarf's had taken to depicted their gods. “Ehl daughter of Koil she rules over death and the underworld for those of us not fit to seat at Nido's table. Rhot mighty warrior many tales have been sung of his adventures. He controls the sky and the weather he is the son of Nido and commands his father’s army. Against the dark forces that seeks to rule the higher realm,” Redbird said turning to fast for Cominus to see the sparkle filling his eyes. "Ladrb the brother of almighty Nido for he is the god of stone, metal,
and gems.”
“Dronj the second brother of Nido he controls the seas and the four winds,” Redbird said
leading them towards the last statue. As the
three stood at the last statue, Cominus knew
that this was Nido for he was studded with
gems of all colors and shapes. From rubes, to emeralds, to diamonds, and lesser rare stones. Clapping his hands together, Redbird fell to his
knees.
“Here stands mighty Nido father of us all
for he created us in his image. He is the god of
the hunt and nature, every dwarf prays to him
for a good hunt. He keeps this world alive even
after the world broke apart,” Redbird said
going into dwarfish chants. Seeing that it
would be a good time to leave their friend in silent prayer. Cominus and Aryl made their way
to the exit allowing their friend his peace. Moments later Redbird rejoined his companions
wiping the tears from his eyes.
“Woe is me to have his friends see a dwarf
crying I shame myself,” Redbird said rubbing
the puffiness from his face.
“Nonsense I say I seen you stump your toe
on the door on your way out. To caught up in
the moment of showing your friend's around
your majestic temple there’s no shame in that,”
Cominus said patting Redbird on his shoulder.
Seeing his friend puff up his chest, he knew
that Redbird had regained his pride. Aryl and
Cominus turned to each other could not help
but laugh. Redbird couldn't help but join in
with his friends if any body was watching the
trio, they would have assume they had been
spent to much time in the sun.
Two hundred feet down the alley stood another temple. Cominus was awestruck as he
looked upon the wood elves temple. For there
was no roof to the structure they had no need for one. Large fur trees formed the dense walls of the temple. As the trio stood at the entrance of the temple Cominus could feel the warmth and the alleviation lifting from his shoulders. Cominus turned to Aryl as the rays of sunlight
radiated her face.
Cominus could not fathom why no man
had asked for her hand in marriage. “For if the
gods had made this woman in their image then
Aryl must be the perfection of the gods themselves,” Cominus said to himself. Aryl turned
to Cominus with a bashful smile she ran her
slender hand through her star light hair to hide
her blushing face.
“Its beautiful,” Cominus said turning his
head towards Aryl “and so are you my dear."
Redbird stood next to him he could say nothing
for he could not muster any words to form out
of his gapping mouth. Aryl's eyes grew wide
for she to felt some bond forming in between
them. Stopping in her tracks Aryl placed her
hand over her everberry painted lips.
“My lord you are to kind for sure there are
other ladies that suit someone of your standing
better then myself,” Aryl said behind her fingers. Her mind told her that she could not have
this man for his standing would not allow her
to fall for this man. Her heart told her to chase
after this man not to allow simple rules to stand
in her way. “Yes I shall clam this man as my
mate damn the rules of edict.” If she could talk
to Lord Draco made be he would side with her. “Please you are far more beautiful to my eye then those stuffy over dress women that attend my brother’s court,” Cominus said trying to hide his face in the shadows of the trees. Aryl could not speak a word for she was too flustered by his declaration. Before Aryl knew it she had throw her arms around Cominus. With a grunt it was Redbird that brought the two back to reality. Feeling embarrassed Cominus stood there rubbing his hand on the back of his
neck.
“So my friend, tell me of this temple,”
Cominus said feeling like a fool for allowing
his emotions to get the better of him.
“I do not have the knowledge I shall leave
that to Aryl if you two can keep your hands off
each other,” laughed Redbird. Confused Cominus turned to Aryl for an answer.
“Aryl why would dark elves worship the
gods of the wood elves."
“Because we are one in the same,” Aryl
said looking upon the temple in reverence.
Dumfounded Cominus could not fathom her
statement. Taking a seat on a rock outside the
entrance of the temple, Cominus began to absorb her statement he could not find the answer. Aryl walked over to Cominus placing
herself to his side she wanted to be near him.
As much as she could with out declaring her attentions, within the race of dark elves and
along with their evil kin. The female declared
her attention to the male of their choosing. “From what our records tell us there was a
great rift that formed within the wood elves of the time. We do not know what caused such a rift to form, many years of displaced anger and misspoken words. War erupted between our peoples, however fearing that no peace could be formed. Between the two warring people, our ancestors left our homeland when they could. Living by the rules that formed the Drow society, after many years of journeying though the hash wild lands. Liltlih the dark snake goddess called to the wondering Drow. She offered them land and hope in return for
undying servitude.”
“For two thousand years there was no
word of the refugee wood elves. Our cousins
feared that they had met some terrible disaster
in the wild lands. Any thought of the disregarded wood elves were far from any ones
mind. That was a every big mistake in two
thousand years living in the Underdark. Had
turned our once honey color skin to a ebony
tone.”
“We lost our blond hair and many colored
eyes for the spectrum of inferred. That left our
eyes with the silver color to them along with
our hair. At the bidding o
f the snake goddess
raids on the surface world began. Many innocents were killed in name of the dark goddess.
Three hundred years before the first attack by
the Doncer my people broke away from our
evil kin.”
“Five hundred of Drow elves left the
Underdark for good in hopes to break away
from that vile goddess. After so many years of Drow killing their own kin the ruling council. Knew not if these renegade people could be trusted. How could anyone blame them for being cautious of my people. Many years passed when the first ambassador from the
wood elves arrived in our village.”
“They had kept a close eye on our movements for many years, our elders meet with the
wood elves ambassador for many months.
When the talks had ended, we were welcomed
back with open arms. Oh, it was a joyous day
for my people we had finally cast off that evil
name. From that day forward we called ourselves dark elves,” Aryl said turning to Cominus hoping that her tale did not scare him from
her arms. On the contrary her tale did the opposite it drew him closer to her then she knew.
Cominus placed his hand in hers to comfort her
any way that he could. He wanted to wrap his
arms around her slender form and hold her
throughout the night. He felt the pang of doubt
in that action fearing it may be to bold for him
to do in this world.
“For that I am glad that your people came
to this world and renounced that dark goddess.
For if your people had not the courage to break
away from those evil ways, I would never have
the chance to meet you,” Cominus said smiling
warmly at her. Aryl flashed him a smile to say
thank you she could not hope to find a more
prefect mate.
“A fine tale Aryl, not to interrupt such a
moment that seems to be forming the sun is high. I wish to see the temples on this fine day,” Redbird said breaking up her moment. Aryl shot him a cold glare that could chill a dragon to its bones. Backing away whistling Redbird turned into the temple waiting for his friends to join him. Cominus could only laugh at the speckle for he never saw a dwarf back
The Terra Drago Chronicles: The Sacrifice (Rein of Fire Book 1) Page 14
