Solomon nodded.
“Look after him.” Cecilia withdrew her Mana.
Solomon turned from a suited man back into a terrifying mask. He nodded to Cecilia and disappeared into the shadows.
“Wake the other watchers. Prepare for the coming war,” Cecilia said.
The orders were passed as Vulmar looked at Watcher Cecilia.
“Watcher Cecilia, just what is the grand war?”
“The Mana on Dena gets incredibly rich in cycles. It is called a period of unparalleled strength as legends will arise in these times. It also draws the attention of the creatures from the shadow plane. They hunger after Mana—crave it, crave chaos. They love to manipulate, deceive and destroy.
“In the last great war, they made it into many cities, coming through their doomsday doors. They infiltrated cities and caused chaos in them, getting people to fight one another before they ever brought their armies through.
“They rely on illusions and soul arts to beguile and draw people over to them. In normal fights, they have massive numbers. They’re smart and sneaky, as well as adaptive, and they can work together or apart freely.
“Their weakness is that they’re all the same. Our advantage comes from being people of Dena. There are many races and we all have our own strengths, so together we can all bring something that the other groups don’t have. When the Mana reaches its peak, the power of the world becomes visible. The shadowlings want to consume this power and take it back to their realm. They live off Mana, but they’ve consumed what remains in their world.
“The Guardians were formed before the shadowlings appeared, their goal to seek peace for all people of Dena. When the war erupted, they fought on the frontlines and mediated conflicts across Dena. There were none more powerful than the Guardians, who stabilized the war.
“Many Guardians fell, until the battle over the last doomsday door. The shadowlings went all out, and the Guardians destroyed themselves to break the door and to give Dena another chance.
“The Guardians vowed that they would come again to assist in the next fight, that we must prepare for it. For a time, we trained and prepared. Generations went by and then fighting started to break out here and there as people were groomed to be strong but restrained from using it.
“Finally, it came to a head when the beast kin and the humans, who had been ready for war all this time, started to fight one another.”
“What happened to the Guardians? Where are they?”
“It is believed that they are on the islands, growing their strength and their numbers. In all of the chaos, the land of Ilsal has continued to train and prepare,” Cecilia said. “The shadowlings that were left in Dena struck out at the Guardians, killed them where they could. People from Dena killed others, thinking that they would bring shadowlings, or because they wanted the power of the Guardians, a lie created by the shadowlings that if one killed a Guardian, they would get their strength. The Guardians faded away into obscurity and no one knows where they are, or if they are all dead. Other than Anthony, that is.
“The apostles are the elven answer to this issue. Our infighting will come to an end today. Send out the apostles to search out chaos and remove it and bring those to judgement who have erred. With the battle that is coming, we need to be ready. They do not have the power of Guardians, but they can help to guide our people forward,” Cecilia said.
The elders all looked at one another. It started to sink in, that the stories they had been told as children were true, that they would need to fill the responsibilities that came with being elders.
There was skepticism in their eyes, but there was also fear and anxiety, preparing themselves for the path ahead.
Vulmar saw them and saw Watcher Cecilia—pride in the elves and pride in his people steeling his heart against the tough days ahead.
***
“Anthony—is he the one?” Allynna asked her mother as they sat on one of the balconies of the main tree, looking out over Thelsedorei.
She looked much more like a commoner trying to find a juicy bit of gossip, instead of the grand elder of the high elves.
“Yes, he is the one who I lost to that other woman.” Cecilia sighed.
“So what will you do? Will you try to get him back?” Allynna asked.
Cecilia smiled, seeing a forgotten past behind her eyes. “That time is long gone.” Cecilia laughed, thinking of the plots she had made for the other woman. But she had been able to get past them effortlessly while Anthony was oblivious to it all. It was only later that Cecilia found out that she had thought that the other woman was trying to get Anthony’s attention. In fact, she didn’t think much of the young Guardian, but Cecilia’s actions had accidentally brought the two of them together.
“And I got to meet your father because of that. We might argue a lot, but your father and I had a great few hundred years, much longer than most elves stay together for and we’ve had plenty of children!”
“No need to flaunt it! Do you think it’s easy for others to look at you like a woman when you’re a grand elder?” Allynna grumbled, looking into her tea like a surly teenager.
“I learned something from the two of them. It doesn’t matter one’s position, their age, or their knowledge—well, maybe the knowledge. People can be dumb. It is nice to have a conversation and not want to smack someone in the head with a book and hope that some of the knowledge will make it into their skull.” Cecilia cleared her throat, realizing she had missed what she was going to say. “The point is, all of those things don’t matter. A person’s personality, their goals, what they get enjoyment from, those core things—find someone like you. For other things you wish you were more adventurous in, find someone who is. Same core ideas, but different people. Two who are wildly different—I’m not saying that it won’t work; I’m just saying that it will be much harder for them to stay together.”
The two of them sat in silence for some time.
“So what should I say to them tomorrow?” Allynna asked.
Cecilia looked up at the sky. The cool breeze carried the water mist up from below as she looked up at the stars. “Tell them that we need to take this message to a group of elves who can be found on Ilsal. We will organize a guide to take them to the edge of the Deepwood, to the city Enni that borders on the Radal lands.” Her eyes fell to Allynna.
“Is there anyone there?”
“Yes, there are a group of elves there looking for remnants of the Guardians and possibly someone who will need to see that information and will need to see all of them before they act,” Cecilia said. “Remember, do not lie in front of a Guardian.”
“I won’t, Mother,” Allynna said. “When I was younger, I thought that you were just saying that to scare me.”
“Well, it did help me bringing you up. But the scariest threats are the ones that also have a bit of truth in them.”
***
Thelsedorei had a completely different atmosphere from what they had fallen asleep to.
There were people with grim faces, and others were talking in dark voices. There were more people in armor and others were reporting in to different armories across the city.
“What is going on?” Aila asked.
“It seems that they listened to us.” Anthony checked his sword and walked out of the residence, following the guide who had been assigned to them.
Tommie yawned and stretched, following them.
“I hope that there is a buffet. Would kill for some breakfast—oh, and some green tea,” Tommie said.
“Why are you so tired?” Aila asked.
“I was up all night working,” Tommie said.
“Working?”
“Well, a gnome has to have hobbies. I was working on my masterpiece, if you must know,” Tommie said.
“Does your masterpiece consist of that ton of metal and bits you’re hauling around?” Anthony asked.
“Yeah, it’s hard to assemble it, but I heard that there were a few things that I could use in
Thelsedorei that helped improve the design!”
“What is it?”
“I call it the Gnome-inator!”
Aila cringed at the name.
“Pretty original coming from the gnomes,” Anthony assured her.
They looked around Thelsedorei. It was a place rarely seen by people other than the high elves. Some kings and queens were never afforded this view.
They reached the main hall and walked past the large fountain that drained into the sinkhole below, the rumbling of the water was calming instead of terrifying.
Elder Vulmar was waiting for them. “You will be meeting with Grand Elder Allynna,” Vulmar said after they exchanged greetings.
“The grand elder?” Aila was a dark elf, but they had learned about the government of the high elves in great detail. Education and understanding was one of the core pillars of the dark elves’ society.
“Yes, I will let her explain.”
They arrived in front of an office that looked over Thelsedorei.
Standing there was a woman who only looked a few years older than Aila. She was communicating to someone through a glowing pool of water.
“Make sure that they also step up their Guardian Apostles. It is time we cleared the chaos from Dena.”
“Yes, Grand Elder,” the person on the other side of the water said before the light dimmed and Allynna turned to greet them.
“I am sorry. With your information, we are preparing everyone for the coming battle, searching for where the doomsday doors might appear and contacting our allies to make sure that they are ready.” Allynna touched her head and waved her open hand at them. The others repeated the gesture as she waved for them to take a seat.
“We will re-establish contact with our dark elf cousins, but I require your help,” Allynna said in a grave voice. “We believe that there is a group of Guardians who went into hiding on Ilsal. We have sent our own elves, but...” Allynna looked at Anthony.
“If they don’t want to be found, it would be hard to do so,” Anthony said.
“I also think that there might be someone there who will be able to help you regain your strength and your memories, though we can’t confirm any of this,” Allynna said. “This will be an opportunity to stabilize Dena and for you to spread the word about the shadowlings’ return.” Her eyes moved to encompass all of them in the room.
I had been looking forward to going home, until I felt that my mission was over. Aila looked at her two companions, who looked at her.
“Well, it sounds like an adventure—plenty of materials to be found. I’m in!” Tommie said.
“I would like to remember.” Anthony nodded.
And I can’t very well let them get into trouble all by themselves. Aila felt a smile sneak onto her face as she coughed, hiding it behind her hand and looking serious. “I’m willing to do so for the elves.”
“Good. Take the day. We will organize a guide and supplies for you and you can head out first thing tomorrow morning.” Allynna stood.
They said their good-byes and made for the door before Aila and Tommie noticed Anthony still stood in front of Allynna.
“I hope you don’t mind, but you look like an old friend of mine, someone who was dear to me.” Anthony let out a laugh. “Hopefully, with my memories, I might be able to tell you some stories about your ancestors.”
“Promise?” Allynna asked.
“Of course! They weren’t all holy yada yada sages. Some of them were young girls going on an adventure, or people thrust into the unknown and they became powerful figures in their own right. But under the figurehead and the prestige, they were just people who had their own likes, dislikes, pain, and happiness.”
Allynna was silent for some time. “Well, I would like to hear their stories.”
“Till we meet again, and may we both have more stories to share then.”
“Till we meet again; may the tree always see you,” Allynna said.
“And may Dena bless your growth,” Anthony responded. The two of them saluted each other before Anthony left.
Vulmar opened the door for them as they prepared for their new quest.
***
“So how are we going to get to Ilsal?” Tommie asked.
“Go west?” Anthony asked.
“How have you survived—wait, no, never mind.” Aila shook her head as she pulled out a map. “We have to go northeast to Enni. That is where our guide will drop us off. Then we have to get to one of the sea towns and get a ship to Epan and then over to Ilsal.”
“All I hear is that it is time for another adventure!” Anthony said.
Aila made to say something, then shook her head and put the map away with a resigned look on her face.
“Hello, I am your guide. The elders have asked that I take you to Enni,” an elf said, leading a white forest spirit. It was from the reptilian family, with a dignified air about it. Like Ramona and her children, it had four legs, but while Ramona and her children looked as if they had battled their way through the forest, this elf’s mount was pure white except for a black diamond of scales on its forehead.
“Well, hello, guide.” Anthony leaned down to look at the man. It was a much smaller mount than Ramona and her children.
“My name is Garrik.” He saluted and bowed his head to them.
They returned the gesture as well.
“I am Anthony. That blushing darling is Aila, and that’s our gnome, Tommie.”
“Hey!” Aila’s cheeks turned a darker shade.
“Think I can’t tell when an elf is blushing?” Anthony muttered and looked to Tommie, who shrugged.
“Why you looking at me? I only traded with them!” Tommie said, securing his pack.
Anthony saw something glowing in the pack as it was sealed up. “That—Tommie, how did you get that?”
“I have my sources,” Tommie said with a smile that told Anthony he wouldn’t be revealing anything any time soon.
“What are you building?”
“The Gnome-inator,” Tommie said.
“I want to see!” Anthony said.
“Well, if you look at this here...” Tommie pulled out some plans from a hidden pocket and started showing them to Anthony.
“Dude!”
“Just ignore them. Shall we start going?” Aila sighed.
“Okay.” Garrik got on his mount and they headed out of the city. Anthony and Tommie talked to each other in low voices, conspiring together. Tommie wrote down what Anthony was saying, his eyes glowing.
Whenever I see someone that interested in what Anthony’s saying, why do I have a bad feeling about it?
“Your companions are interesting,” Garrik said.
“Oh, you have no idea. And I think Tommie has been lost.” She sighed mournfully as they reached the main gate.
She had thought that this would be the end of their journey.
But when they gave us the new quest, I couldn’t help but be excited. She looked back at the duo. I would never admit it, but life is more interesting around them, and there is still so much more of Dena to see!
The branches making up the gate moved apart as if waving good-bye to them as they passed through and out into the Deepwood.
Thank you for your support and taking the time to read Skeleton With A Heart Curse.
The Death Knight Series will continue with Possessor of the Heart.
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Book 2
Chapter: First Stop
The
ir time from leaving the elven capital Thelsedorei went smoothly as the guide took them along a path between different beast territories and across open ground.
They passed the days riding and talking, and the night sharing meals and stories.
The guide continued to stare at Anthony the entire time. He hadn’t eaten, slept, or drank the entire time.
“Maybe you could put on a better show?” Aila asked as they were at the rear of the group.
“Better show of what? Eating? I’d just get it all over my bones and then in my boot! Ugh, boot dinner. I might be undead but I have standards!” Anthony tilted his head up to the sky, just to get hit by a branch.
Well, put his helmet through a branch without so much as flinching.
“Damn, did I dent it?” Anthony asked, touching his helmet as the broken half of the branch fell off Ramona’s back.
The guiding elf coughed as Aila looked up front where the tree line ended and a city could be seen in the distance.
“We’ve arrived at Enni. This is where I leave you,” she said.
“Thank you for guiding us.” Aila touched her head and saluted the elf.
“As is my duty.” The elf responded with the same salute.
They turned and headed back into the forest as Aila got a closer look at the city Enni.
There was a wide variety of people of all different sizes working the fields that had to be two or three times the fields that ran around Laisa.
“So this is a beast man town?” she asked.
“A lot of them are bigger than humans and the other races, and they require more food,” Anthony said, noticing her looking at the fields.
“They’re alchemists—should have the compound I require,” Tommie said, looking at the town closer.
Death Knight Box Set Page 13
