Mensh slid a questioning glance to Hoosun as they made their way up some stone steps and into a long chamber that would lead them to the walls above, Mensh speaking as they made their way. “Is that what she told you?”
Hoosun spoke in question upon the young Mensh as her face was held in a curious expression. “Isn’t that what she told you?”
Mensh shook her head as she spoke her next words, her voice high in disappointment as she did. “No. She didn’t. I thought she was only trying to learn something, but I found out that she was only trying to change Amen again. I decided then, I wasn’t going to help anymore. I can’t help her change him, Hoosun. It just doesn’t seem right to me.”
The owl took to resting his feathery arm on the back of Mensh and smiled through his beaky features as he spoke his next words. “I see. I’m glad that you’re doing what you see is right, young Mensh. We must do only what we think is right and agreeable. As for changing Amen, I don’t believe she’ll find any cure for his way, but instead find something else. After all, I wouldn’t send her down there if I thought it was right to change the boy either!”
Mensh stopped her forward motion and looked upon the owl curiously as she spoke, his feathery form also at stop as he heard her words come upon his listening form. “What do you mean? What’s down there?”
Hoosun smiled and stood tall in his form as he spoke to the young one of curious nature, as to the reason of his sending Henk to the library. “Something we all find at one time or another…purpose.”
Mensh was curious as to the full explanation of what was going on, but it seemed as if she was to get nothing more than what the owl said. Accepting his answer, Mensh carried on alongside the owl and spoke as they made their way ever closer to the walls above. “I don’t see myself getting more of an answer than that, so, let’s get going! I have to get this water to Maela!”
The owl stood in a steady stride as he spoke to the young one, his feathery hand taking place upon the shoulder of the young one as he spoke. “Very well, when you finish there, please come up to the high chamber. The Mother and I shall be there, awaiting your company!”
Mensh smiled and nodded upon the owl as the two friends, old and young, made their way ahead.
Far below, in the ice crystal caverns, twisting and winding below, the three companions pushed ever ahead as the armored Kurlank held the silent one of the cursed in hold.
Samana pushed onward without rest as it seemed they had been wandering the cold tunnels forever, the cursed Sen walking tiredly at her side as he spoke out a complaint.
“How much longer do you think we’re going to be stuck in these tunnels? We’ve been walking for hours and hours and it seems they never end!”
Samana spoke in assurance as she kept her pace a steady one. “I don’t know. But we’ve been walking straight for a long time, now. We’re definitely not going in circles. WAIT! Look ahead!”
Samana pointed ahead as Kurlank and Sen put their view ahead and saw that the ice faded to rock and dirt, ahead, upon the walls.
The young heroine spoke of the sight as she put her finger to her lip. “It looks like we’ve made it a good distance from the mountain, since things are getting warmer. I can feel it in the air!”
As Samana breathed in the air, drifting into a warmer tone as the three made their way ahead, the cursed form of Sen spoke as he held curiosity in his tone. “But where are we going? Where does this lead?”
Samana held a curious finger to her lip once more as the sturdy form of Kurlank spoke boomingly, through the tunnel mass. “I’d say we push ahead and find out. There’s no other way to know!”
Samana nodded in agreement and spoke as she decided to pick her pace up. “He’s right. The only way we’re going to find out is by taking it ahead! My joints are all sore and tight from the cold. I’m thinking of taking up to speed and rushing ahead. What do you two say?”
As Samana stood with a smile, and hoping for an agreeable answer, her companions could do nothing but agree as they too wished to get ahead and make it to the surface. The armored warrior spoke in echoing fashion as he carried the silent form. “I wouldn’t mind the touch of open ground again!”
Sen nodded vigorously in agreement and spoke as he too was getting tired of the tunnels. “Yeah, I agree. I wouldn’t mind getting this twisted body of mine above ground and to fresh air! Let’s get going!”
Samana smiled upon her friends, Sen was seemingly becoming more cursed, his features now very much sealed and his eyes near full in golden hold, and his fingers sharp and long with stretching claws. The armored warrior of silver and etchings stood sturdy before her, with the cursed one of their discovery in hold, a curious manner about the one of familiarity as Samana held her in sight, her form moving in the hold of Kurlank as she seemed to awake.
Samana stood staring as Kurlank surveyed the manner of the cursed and soon found them opening their gold eyes, writhing in his hold as they thrashed and clawed wildly. Sen stood watching as he heard thoughts come into his mind in a whisper and spoke to his companions in urgency. “I can hear her speak faintly, Kurlank, let her go!”
Kurlank nodded in agreement upon his friend and tossed the cursed one from his hold, the wild one finding their own hold as they clung to the wall and looked upon the three, their eyes fixed upon Sen as they were knowledgeable that he too shared their cursed existence.
Sen felt himself pushed ahead by Samana as she spoke, her green eyes watchful of the cursed female as she clung to the wall in according manner. “Try and press your thoughts on her, Sen.”
Sen stepped ahead of his companions and pressed his thoughts ahead in focus as he attempted to communicate with the female of the cursed. “We don’t mean to harm you. We found you unconscious and alone, amongst the ice. Who are you?”
The female clung curiously to the wall as she stared upon Samana, as if she knew her, and then left the wall to stand before the three, and nodded her head as she drew her claws to her face and tore her features open to speak to all three, her voice peaceful as she spoke.
“I see. Thank you for saving my life. I know your face, young maiden. Who are you?”
The female stood curiously upon Samana, the young heroine feeling a touch of awkwardness and curiosity, as she too was curious to the identity of the female as she spoke in return. “My name is Samana. You haven’t told us who you are, yet?”
The female grinned through her bloodied features and put a caring hand on the shoulder of Samana as she spoke. “I am Gelga. Is that really you? You’ve grown so much in these passing years, young Samana. I imagine Daimana has grown, too. Where is she?”
As Samana stood in surprise upon the female of her past, she spoke sorrowfully in return as she placed her hand upon the arm of Gelga. “Daimana is gone, lost to the Sands of Arndu as she helped my father protect Oomer.”
Gelga looked upon the companions of Samana as they held a watchful gaze upon her, the cursed one speaking as she looked back upon Samana. “Lost to the…? Are you saying that the Dawn Bringers did go against the Elushu in battle?”
Samana nodded in agreement as she spoke. “Yes, I am. I tried explaining it to Sinfus, but he would not listen to me.”
Gelga stood still, holding a curious eye upon Samana as she spoke. “You came upon Sinfus?”
Samana nodded and spoke explanation as she looked upon the cursed Gelga with her green eyes. “Yes. You see, we’ve been looking for the Keraij and we followed them from the desert to the mountains, in our search. We finally found them, and I discovered that Sinfus and the Council were leading them. When I tried to explain it to Sinfus, he painted me a liar and told me of his plans. I was going to stop him by force, but I could not bring myself to do so. We were soon attacked by the Keraij and then overcome by a storm, which caused our plunge into the mountain, where we found you.”
Gelga shook her head and leaned on the wall of the tunnel as she thought and then spoke. “If what you’re saying is true, and the Dawn Bringers did f
ight the Elushu and were lost to the sands with them, then Sinfus can never kill the Dawn Bringers or the Elushu, he will be without honor! Is what you say really true?”
Samana approached Gelga and took her clawed hand as she spoke to her in an honest voice, speaking what she knew to be the truth. “What I say is true. The Dawn Bringers are not my concern as of, now. My concern is for the Order, which Sinfus is heading for right, now. We need to stop him before he harms anyone there, out of his need for blood!”
Gelga looked upon Samana curiously and spoke as her golden eyes were set upon the young heroine. “You know of his other affliction then. That must have been why he attacked you on the mountain!”
Samana nodded in agreement and spoke as she kept her view upon the friend of her past. “I know. But we can’t let that happen again. If that happens at the Order, he could kill everyone or curse all of them to be as Keraij!”
Gelga felt weak and leaned her weight on the wall as she spoke tiredly. “He would never make it that far…unless he took from the Council. They are dedicated to him as he wishes to restore his honor and wreak vengeance!”
Samana stepped back from the cursed Gelga and stood amongst her two companions, and spoke. “I think that seems possible, which is why we must hurry and get to the Order! Hopefully this tunnel has an end. All things do. Will you join us, Gelga? Help us in our need?”
Gelga looked upon the outstretched hand of Samana and looked to her beautiful features as the tunnel was dim but lit with light resounding off of small crystals to give detail to those of its hold. Feeling that she had no choice but to accept, Gelga took the hand of Samana and spoke as she looked upon the three. “I will. If what you say is true, then I shall help you to stop him from reaching the Order, so that none get harmed!”
Samana smiled upon her friend and clasped her hand in a comforting vice as she spoke.
“Then let us go and find release from this cave, my friend.”
As Samana turned to her friends, as if for approval, they nodded their forms, the sturdy Kurlank shifting his armored form as he nodded, the cursed Sen nodding vigorously his cursed features as his face was soon to be fully sealed, as he drew closer and closer to being fully one of the Keraij.
With her friends in agreement, upon their new companion joining the journey, Samana and her friends tread onward through the dark and scarcely lit tunnel, hoping soon for release from its confines as time grew short and tension grew high, the mind of Gelga wandering silently as she attempted to reach out for the one she loved…Sinfus.
As Sinfus flew high in the air, ahead of the mass of Keraij and council, he found himself coming to pause in the sky and to be passed by many as he felt an echoing and quiet voice reside within his mind.
Karkor stopped at the side of Sinfus and spoke thoughts of question upon him as he seemed dazed. “Are you okay, lord Sinfus?”
Sinfus shook his head and caught thoughts of Gelga and her voice speaking softly, but in words that he was unable to decipher as he answered Karkor with his thoughts. “I don’t know. I thought I heard Gelga speak to me.”
Karkor shifted his giant figure and spoke his thoughts upon his leader. “I felt the same thing, my friend. Surely we both miss her!”
Sinfus shook his head as Karkor placed a caring hand on his shoulder, Sinfus speaking thoughts upon the single-eyed one. “Surely, let’s move ahead.”
Karkor bowed his head and continued ahead as the mass of Keraij passed Sinfus as he took back to flight, his thoughts wandering as he glanced back at the mountains, far in the distance. Two questions were upon his thoughts, one of reasonable nature and one of hope.
Was it that he missed Gelga that he heard her voice, or was it because she was alive and reaching out for him? This he did not know the answer to, but he hoped, with all his heart and love for Gelga, that it was the latter.
-Chapter 10-
Past
Sinfus stood upon the battlements, remembering the moments that had passed him by in the last few hours as he stood royally dressed in high council wears. The Council had been told by Kermana of the fall of Bledlus and had not taken the loss very well, but in his death, they honored his wishes and made Sinfus the new ruler of Oomer and leader of the Council.
Sinfus stood still, his hand reaching to his head as he felt the red crystal dangling upon his brow; the sign of a leader.
As Sinfus looked out from the stone battlements, a soft wind blew across the vast city as he removed his hood from his head and felt his hair blow about. Kaimana came upon his presence and spoke as he took to his side. “The Dawn Bringers are to move out, soon.”
Sinfus looked out across the vast distance, the sun catching his golden eyes as he spoke return upon his friend. “I see. Kaimana, do you think I could really lead Oomer? I’m younger than you. I have no idea of how to lead anyone in life. All I’ve done is lead to death.”
Kaimana shook his head and spoke upon Sinfus. “Your father’s death wasn’t your fault. He gave his life so that you could live and lead. He believed in you, as do I!”
As Sinfus turned upon Kaimana to speak, he found himself met by more voices of approval as Kermana made presence with him, Karkor, Fenra, and Borka following his lead.
“As we all believe in you!”
Sinfus looked upon those of approach and bowed his head as he spoke. “Thank you for your support. I’ll try not to fail. You’re leaving soon, aren’t you?”
Kermana nodded in agreement as he held his helmet at his side, Kaimana taking lean on the battlements and taking view upon the distant sun as he spoke. “Don’t worry. We’ll return, someday, Sinfus.”
The afflicted one turned to the distant sun and spoke as he felt great worry for his friends. “I hope so.”
Karkor and Borka took to the side of Sinfus and looked out to the distance, Kermana speaking upon the Council as the sun danced upon his armor to glorious fashion.
“I think that you three should stay here with Sinfus. He’ll need council as wise as you, as he grows as a leader. I wish not to risk your minds in battle with us.”
The three figures of council looked upon the leader of the Dawn Bringers, the single-eyed Karkor speaking as he stood firmly on the balcony, looking over the city below them.
“We wish to fight alongside you, but if this is what you wish, we shall heed your wishes and words to the very purpose of their meaning.”
Kermana took bow upon the Council and their leader, and spoke as Kaimana took to his side. “Thank you. We shall be going, now. The Elushu must be stopped!”
Sinfus looked upon the two Dawn Bringers and spoke as he took the arm of Kermana.
“May speed and safety be with you.”
The Dawn Bringers had assembled at the lowest point of Oomer, the entrance.
The mass of golden armor, of runic etchings, stood well-fit for battle. Spears, swords, and shields held at the ready as many took to horseback and awaited the order of their leader, Kermana.
The leader of the Dawn Bringers took to the back of his steed as Kaimana was upon his, and was at his father’s side. Kermana spoke upon Sinfus and his council as his helmet was donned in royal fashion upon his head. “We shall defend your city to the death, young Sinfus. And if Fate favors our efforts, perhaps we may even stop their advance upon Oomer. Be well, my friend.”
Sinfus bowed to the great leader of the Dawn Bringers, as Kaimana came before him upon his steed and spoke. “Don’t worry, Sinfus. We’ll stop them. I promise.”
Sinfus took shared grip of arms with Kaimana and spoke. “I know you’ll fight more gloriously than I ever could. Be safe.”
Kaimana bowed his head, and took off as the Dawn Bringers took motion, Kermana leading their mass of movement as the gates of Oomer opened and allowed release of the armored warriors. All cut a speedy tread on foot and horseback as dust was kicked up madly in a mess, Sinfus watching as his friends led a fight onward to the Elushu, in what many thought would be death, as Sinfus stood with his council to lead hi
s city onward in life.
-Chapter 17-
Present
As the night had come, the moon dipped serenely above, casting light down below upon the green stone of the Order as the Mother stood serenely on her balcony, the light bathing through her veil onto her face as she stood in peace.
The owl, Hoosun, flew royally around the high tower of the Order, his feathery mass blowing justly in the wind as he sped about in peaceful nature, making his way to the chamber above. The crown of leaves flowed to wondrous motion from a soft breeze to rustle as he took landing upon the balcony and stood tall next to his good friend, the Mother Dhahn.
The Mother Dhahn felt the breeze tickle her fingers softly as her hand was stretched out and resting upon the rail of the balcony she stood upon, in view of the royal and bright moon above, her voice speaking upon her feathery companion as he stood silent at her back.
“Is everyone ready, my friend?”
The owl craned his head low and spoke as he took to the side of his friend, looking out upon the stars. “Yes. They’ve taken good water and fruit. They have blockades and locks fixed, very well. They seem to be in good preparation for the coming threat, my friend. But where does your mind wander? You seem in a daze.”
The owl looked upon the Mother, whose gaze was fixed firmly upon the stars above, the same seven of her previous view, seemingly closer than the last time she looked upon their shining image, her voice speaking in a calm tone as she kept her stare ever to the stars above.
“The stars, the past, present, future, my mind wanders about these things, my friend. In time, all will come together and the past shall rise again. What will it bring? Life or death?”
The owl shook his feathery features as he looked to the stars above and watched in wonder as they were made to such beauty, his answer coming from his beaky features. “I don’t know, my friend. If I had the gift to foretell the future, even then, I do not think I would know. The world changes so very much. Life is given and taken in death, which leads to life once more, just as we are thirsty for water, quenched our thirst and then thirsty once again. Any answer we could obtain would lead to a question, and then another answer, and so on.”
The Order of Events: The Council of Eight Page 18
