“And I supposed you would rule everything?”
“Far from it, we have what we call the Circle of Kings. A council that chooses the best policies and practices for the Empire. It’s how we have kept the peace; most commoners wouldn’t stand by and let someone other than their King rule them. It’s not a perfect system, but it works.”
“Well, can you have someone show me to my room then? It has been a long journey.”
Levi and Jarvis looked at each other. Then Jarvis clapped his hands twice, and Jarvis’s personal assistant came rushing in.
“Set the Lord Envidious up with a kingly room if you please.” When Envidious was gone Jarvis turned to Levi, “We will need to keep an eye on that one Levi, he’s dangerous.”
Chapter 13 Back To The Woods
A fter a hurried resupply in Evenstar, Gideon and company made for the Great Elden Wood home of the Elves, the pool, and Gideon’s fate. Given the severity of what he was accused, he did not like his chances of returning unscathed. He just prayed that the backing of his new friends Asuna and Siegfried would be enough to sway the ruling of the Elven King.
They had been through a lot now. Traveling together, bleeding together, and daring to hope for peace together. They often spoke about the old days, the days where Humans and Elves were at war. The scars of those long years were still in the memory of the old ones Asuna had told him over a dinner of fish. They had made it just to the border of the Elden after giving Thornpine a wide berth.
Katrina had bid them stop for the night, and the others thought her idea an excellent one.
“We would not want to enter the forest at night as it is, best save it for daybreak,” Siegfried told her as he helped her set the camp. Katrina had noticed the Elf seemed eager to assist her since they had started traveling together. By the time the sun had sunk far below the horizon camp was made and Katrina was helping herself to some hearty stew Harth had thrown together using some rations and fresh herbs and vegetables he had found at the edge of the forest.
“You my lady will enjoy these wild mushrooms that I found just over there. They have given the stew an exotic flavor.” The Dwarf was right of course; she had never eaten something so good. Although it could just be that she wasn’t used to this amount of traveling. She sat down next to Gideon on her right and Harth on her left. The fire was low but warm, and she sat listening to the conversation.
“The problem is they believe Humans and Elves are so inherently different that we could never mix, but it isn’t so. We have traveled nicely together, I have enjoyed seeing the Human cities and do not find them so repugnant as to want to cut ties.”
Siegfried grunted his consent. “Yes, battling alongside your kind has shown me that you are just as honorable as I and that we both have a lust for life.”
Harth gave a hearty laugh, “You Elves are far too serious about such things. Mine people have long seen Humans (although a bit odd) a respectable trading partners. Why I would not be surprised if mine king has not already joined forces with Gideon’s brother. The tall folk would make a fine addition to any kingdom.”
“I agree, but our King and Queen may not see it as so. You forget Harth; my people do not mix with yours either. As a whole, we believe that dwarves and Humans are very much the same. The problem is that both your races carve at the land for its resources, where our people care for the land and love it. We take no wood for our fires, nor ore for our spears that the earth does not freely give.” Asuna said to the Dwarf as she sat down next to Katrina.
Harth rolled his eyes, “And my dear Asuna, maiden of the tree people, pray tell us how the earth gives you its ore.”
Asuna rose from her seat and stepped close to a clump of rocks in the hill. She knelt before the stones and began to sing. Her words were of a langue of which Gideon knew not, but to his ears they were heavenly. He could feel power dripping off each syllable as she weaved her magic in the song. The rocks began to shimmer and vibrate as if they were dancing to her tune. Moments later she returned and dropped a perfectly round ball of iron into Harth’s lap a smug look on her face. Harth was entranced with the metal. He gave it a jeweler’s appraisal, holding it up against the light.
“Never in all my years have I seen iron so pure and perfect. The mineral hums with glee, it’s as if you have given me true iron and all I have ever known was imitation. Let me be the first Dwarf to say you Elves are the true masters of mining. Who else could sing the iron from the rock?” Harth said with a smile.
They all laughed at his glee, shortly after they turned in for the night after deciding who would claim the first watch.
The next day found the group deep in the woods, the towering pines nearly blotting out the sun, the ferns and mosses clinging to their feet with each step.
“I say, it’s as if the forest itself doesn’t want us to go on.” Gideon panted as he tore his foot free from a creeping vine.
Asuna turned to him “That is because these plants know you are not Elven. They know you are not welcome. If you had not been traveling with Siegfried and me, the magic that we sing into the forest would have killed you by now.” She strode on leaving Gideon staring.
Katrina elbowed Gideon in the ribs, bringing him back. “You’ll want to be careful with that one brother.” She gave him a knowing look before walking on.
With the three outsiders, progress slowed their pace was not what Gideon had hoped. Too many days had passed since they entered the woods and still, no sign of the Elven cities could be seen.
“Hey Asuna, just how much further are we?” Katrina asked one day as they were deep in the woods. Asuna stopped and pounded the question. “Well,” she said. “We are about a day’s journey from the spring wood, which would put us about three days from Haven.”
Katrina cocked her head in a confused gesture, “What do you mean spring wood?”
Asuna laughed, “Of course you wouldn’t know, would you? The four corners of the Elden wood are separated into the four seasons. Each corner of the wood is forever in that season and haven lays in the center of it all.” Asuna explained.
It was just as she had said, as they walked on they seemed to cross some mystic border where although the season had indeed been winter, here the forest was in the midst of spring. It was not only the plant life itself that shown the early buds and blossoms, but the animals and insects were also forever trapped in their springtime selves. They also noticed that there were several plants not native to the area. Plants that left to nature would have surely died.
“If we have a great sin, it is our vanity.” Asuna commented when these plants were pointed out to her. Gideon decided to remember that in case it stretched to other areas in their character. Their journey went on in the miles until Asuna and Siegfried stopped them.
“Listen well, over this next ridge is our city of Haven. We have avoided all common roads and villages to get you to this point. However, do not expect any kindness from our kin. They will not harm you but will try to bait you into reacting harshly. I tell you this because if you draw your weapon or attack a single life form within Haven, you all will be put to death without trial.” Siegfried drew close to Gideon so that only he could hear him. “I am trusting you to display the most restraint possible when the queen and king address you. You are the spawn of the wolf, and I would not put it past them to hold a grudge. Let me do the talking, then when you are addressed keep your answers short and polite.”
Gideon nodded his understanding, his mouth had become very dry, and he didn’t trust himself to speak. So they continued, and Gideon received his first sight of the city.
Haven was like no place Gideon had ever seen before. The houses and shops were all woven out of the living trees so that each building looked to be a part of the forest. Even their forges Gideon noticed where created out of the landscape. As they entered the city proper those around them began to take notice. The older Elves wore twisted scowls upon their beautiful faces. The children ran to their mothers, and some even sta
rted to cry. They were coming upon a lavishly created palace when they were stopped by a group of young Elven men that looked to be around the same age as Siegfried. The atmosphere between their two groups was tense as Siegfried spoke in rapid elvish to the group. Gideon tried to follow the exchange, but he didn’t understand the langue. The only word he was able to make out was what the other group kept saying whenever they would look his was “Doma” he made a mental note to ask either Asuna or Siegfried what that meant if he got out of here. It seemed that the group would not let them pass until Asuna stepped forward and in a tone of clear command force the group to depart. Gideon was eager to know what she had said to them, but figured now was not the best time to ask questions.
They passed through the massive gate that could have easily fit a battalion, into an equally enormous courtyard. The courtyard was paved in moss-covered granite, and a verity of flowers, pounds, and flowering trees was arranged in a beautiful and functional landscape. The palace looked to be made up of thousands of birch trees; their bark stripped away to show a white polished core. Inside the palace, the moss-covered granite had been changed for a white marble that was not paved but seemed to be of a single slab. Given how Asuna had sung the iron from the ground this did not surprise Gideon, but never the less he was very impressed. Nothing that he had seen his kin make came close to the splendor that was Haven.
They entered into a large throne room, where at the head of the hall two thrones sat. One looked to Gideon to be made of dragon bone the other was most defiantly unicorn horn. Perched upon the thrones were two of the most beautiful Elves he had ever seen. The queen looked to be around Asuna’s age, whereas the king Gideon would place at least around forty. Even given his age, the king seemed as strong as any Human in his prime. Gideon marveled at the two, their pale opaque skin, gold slanted eyes, and long silver glowing hair. Gideon remembered at once what Asuna had said; the Elves certainly were vain.
They stopped at the foot of the thrones, Siegfried and Asuna gave long deep bows, Gideon and they others, not wanting to offend did likewise, but unlike the two Elves, they remained bowed and waited to be told to stand. This was indeed a smart thing to do Gideon seen as a smiled played on the Queens' lips when she commanded them to stand. That smile faded rather quickly once Asuna started to speak in the same fast elvish as before. By the time she had concluded her speech, the Queen had a fire in her eyes. Siegfried next spoke at length in elvish gesturing to Gideon frequently and making wild hand movements while his tale grew ever more animated. Eventually, though the Queen raised her right hand in a clear signal for him to stop and the room became silent. The Queen turned to her King and spoke in quiet tones, making hardly more noise that a breeze would. Finally, it was the King who spoke.
“I am the Great Elven King Radavas; I am known far and wide for my prowess in battle and my great deeds in hunting. It was I who hunted down the dragon whose bones are my throne and me who gifted my Queen with a hundred unicorn horns to which she made her throne. I also am the Great King who first sang to the diamond and shaped it perfectly into a crown for my Queen. Never has there been an Elf alive as great as I.”
Gideon looked uneasy as he didn’t know how to respond to this introduction. Thankfully the king continued without noticing him or the rather fixed expressions that the other Elves had on their faces.
“There has never been a Human to stepped foot into this inner sanctum of my domain nor has one of the rock people ever stepped so far in our wood, however I am grateful for the rock dwellers who led my remaining soldiers to me after that fateful ambush.” He paused then as if the word grateful left a sour taste in his mount. “You may count yourselves lucky, for now. I have been told of your deeds, Gideon, son of Adam. Both the good and the bad. I have also been informed of your quest to meet with the sage and the struggle your people have against the necromancer. So tell me Gideon, am I to let you live? Should your life be spared even though, you defeated the guardian and bathed in the pool. What more, you were blessed by the Maker. For these crimes do you find an alternative other than death?”
Ice coated the pit of Gideon’s stomach, and cold sweat beaded his brow as he prepared to reply. “My most gracious King and Queen of Haven. I began this journey a broken man; my very mana was severed from my body by a shade. That shade not only killed many of my friends and fellow knights but also my most beloved mentor Kallen. It was on the sage Joseph’s word that I came into your forest and broke your rules, but if I had not I would have never been made whole, I would have never had rid this world of that evil, nor save my kingdom from absolute ruin. I understand that I have broken your laws, and I will accept the punishment, but I beg you, please allow me to serve my King a little longer and complete the quest. I must put an end to the necromancer, or his Orc army will not stop after eliminating the Humans. Once we are gone, he will surely send his minions after the next great empire. Although I am sure you will fare better than us, any loss of life is still unacceptable. Please, your majesties I ask you to allow me to complete my duty, then you can have with me what you will.”
The King and Queen smiled sincerely, spoke briefly then the Queen addressed Gideon. “This quest you are on will end in death, Human. We can see no finer a punishment and if by the grace of the celestials you survive your debt to us will be paid. Do not think this a kindness; we grant you your request for we know of the necromancer, it is a creature so twisted by the demons beyond the vail it will rip your very soul from your body at which time mana will be the least of your worries.” She cocked her head to the side with a nearly manic smile as she said all this. Her beautiful gold eyes had become cold, and Gideon felt as if he would be walking soon into his grave.
The King then spoke, “Siegfried tells me that your brother is the King of your Kingdom and that your father fell in battle. Know that your father is the only Human I have ever respected and your mother was the fiercest women I have ever seen, you do come from some good stock.” At the mention of his brother Gideon was reminded of his other duty.
“My lords if I may speak once more I have a request from the King of Esnela.”
A bemused expression shown on both their faces, then the Queen nodded to him to continue.
“Our races have stood apart for far too long. The fact that the lands are so divided is the root cause of the necromancers rise to power. We humbly request your allegiance in defeating a foe that threatens the peace of the whole land of Rosenkar. If you would be so gracious to join us in union our world would finally be united and at peace. We must set aside our differences and past prejudice. Together we can build a better world.” Gideon felt rather embarrassed over his speech, but it was just as his brother had told him to say.
The bemused expression of the Elves had changed to shock and in some even horror at the mention of a union, but the King and Queen had continued their bemusement, and in a clearly mocking tone the king said, “Irony it is that the spawn of my defeater would gravel for my aid.”
Gideon didn’t know how to respond to this, did this mean he was considering or was he merely preparing the salt to go in the wound?
“I am assuming that your King has given you some papers for me to look over?”
“Yes my Lord, here they are” Gideon fumbled with the scroll nearly dropping it as he passed it to a waiting Elf who then gave it to the King. The King broke the seal on the parchment and spent a moment reading it. When he finished, he laughed long and loud.
“What your brother is asking for will not happen.”
Gideon’s heart sank, he knew they needed the help of the Elves to see this to the end.
“However, I will respond to him so that we may discuss some kind of arrangement. Perhaps there may be true peace between Elf and man yet? Now I tire of this discussion; you may resupply and rest the night then I want you out of my city.”
They bowed themselves out, thanking the King and Queen several times on their way. Gideon did not know how to feel, and he had escaped the rope it was tru
e, but was his quest to stop the evil of the necromancer really just as perilous? He was turning this over and over in his mind that he didn’t notice that Asuna had stopped in front of him and he plowed right into her knocking them both to the ground. They jumped quickly apart, color showing on each other’s cheeks.
“I just wanted to say,” She began “That I was very impressed with what you said. That speech about unity? It is a dream I myself have had.”
Gideon blushed even darker, “I didn’t come up with the words, it’s just what my brother told me to say.”
“Oh.” She sounded a little disappointed.
“But it’s something I feel strongly about as well, he and I have always dreamed of a united Rosenkar. One land one banner. Where everyone is at peace with each other.”
She brightened visibly at this but said no more.
The party led by Asuna found their way to a small Elven inn. After some heated discussion between her and the innkeeper, they were allowed to stay, although Gideon got the feeling that they ended up paying double. After they cleaned up, they all sat down to a small scrubbed wooden table close to the fireplace. There little table thrown in shadow gave them some privacy from the ever-staring eyes of the Elves and allowed them to talk a little freely.
“Can’t wait for dinner I’m starving!” Katrina exclaimed aloud.
“Well, I wouldn’t be too hopeful in this place, from the reception I would wager they poison anything they give us,” Harth said a dark glint in his eye.
Siegfried scowled at him, “You are protected under the law of hospitality! It is one of our most sacred laws, and you will eat good food and the finest ale Dwarf!”
“Oh, your kind brews ale does it? Well, I tell you no Elf ale can beat a Dwarf ale. We make fine brews, dark hoppy ale, light blond ales, even ales with elderberries mixed in. We also excel in drinking our fine ale. I also like to point out that we haven’t had the warmest welcome.”
Black Thorn Page 14
