Stone of the Denmol

by R C Gray

  Shifting around Renna’s flailing feet as she laid back down, Skara looked up at Faine. “Did she say how long before we can dock?”

  “It’ll be a few hours at least, but she’s pretty sure the storm will pass soon, and we can dock by evening. If not, it’ll be tomorrow morning.”

  “And why can’t we just dock as soon as it’s over? Braig said.

  “Too many rocks in the shallows. Hard to navigate in the dark.”

  Wiping the drool off her lips, Renna turned towards Faine. “And what should we do until then?”

  Faine grabbed the latch on the door, pulling it closed. “Just hang on. We’re almost there.”

  Several hours passed before the waters calmed, and the ship stopped swaying. Needing a bit of fresh air to help settle their stomachs, they made their way up the ladder and onto the deck. Black clouds sat on the horizon, the haze of rain pouring out from below them as streaks of lightning bolted from one cloud to the next.

  The ocean had calmed, rocking the ship gently as Renna walked over to the railing and looked out towards Solis. The water around the coastline was littered with sharp rocks or ragged cliffs that jutted weather-worn stone in all directions. Vast sandy beaches cut into the mountains, creating hidden coves between the rocks that led into the dense forest behind them.

  Massive evergreen trees dotted the landscape, their trunks as big as the ship was broad and reaching hundreds of feet into the air. A thick mist poured in from the water to the east, partially shrouding the moss-covered cliffs and tree trunks that overlooked the sea.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Skara said, stepping up on the side of the railing.

  “And you never will anywhere else,” Lorsan said as she moved slowly down the stairs, her clothes drenched and clinging to her body.

  “What do you mean?” Braig said.

  “The large trees you see above all the others here only grow on Solis and the Mammoth Isles.”

  Skara glanced up at Lorsan before looking back towards the shoreline. “Why only here?”

  Lorsan shrugged. “The weather, I suppose. Maybe something to do with the fog. The trees spread across the islands thousands of years ago. People say they can live for just as long, too. Some believe they were put here by the gods themselves, and that the first tree is still alive out there in the wilds.”

  “That’s amazing,” Renna said, her eyes wide.

  “That it is,” Lorsan said, clapping her on the shoulder. “And you’re about to see them up close.”

  Shouting orders to the crew to raise the sails, Lorsan took the helm and steered the ship towards the coast. “Cabri, some wind if you don’t mind. Get us to port before nightfall.”

  “Aye, captain,” Cabri said as she climbed the ladder to the crow's nest.

  As soon as the burgundy sails were fully raised, she lifted her hands to the sky, weaving them in tight patterns as she drew arcane symbols on the air around her. The sails slapped and pulled on their riggings as a strong wind blew from the north, swiftly pushing the ship across the water as it sped closer to port.

  Running up the steps to the helm, Renna peered up at Cabri. “She’s controlling the wind. That’s how the Banshee can outrun other ships, isn’t it? No matter the direction you steer, the wind is always at our backs.”

  Lorsan looked at Renna and smiled. “That’s right. The winds have been with us so far this trip, and we haven’t had to use her till now, but it pays to have a mage on board that can do that. Not everyone can. But it’s not just the magic, the ship was built to cut through the waves.”

  “And she’s got a great captain at the helm,” Faine said as he moved closer to Lorsan, his hands resting on hips.

  Rolling her eyes, Lorsan glanced over at Renna before looking over her shoulder at Faine. “Do you have a few minutes, sailor?”

  A smile crossed Faine’s face as he stepped forward. “Yes, captain.”

  “Good. After that storm, I’m sure we took on some water, and I need to know how bad the damage is. I need you to get down into the bilge and check it out. Really look for any leaks down there. Lots of rocks under the water around here.”

  The smile faded from his face as his arms fell to his side. “You want me to go down there and check? Into the bilge?”

  “Is that a problem? Should I ask someone more capable?”

  Straightening his back, he looked up at Lorsan. “No, captain. I’ll let you know what I find.”

  “Very well. But be thorough. If there’s a problem, we’ll have to fix it when we dock.”

  Lorsan looked over a Renna, winking as Faine walked down the stairs and descended through the hatch below decks. “And that’s how it’s done.”

  “Like a drowned rat, indeed,” Renna mumbled to herself, a slight smile on her face. “How long until we’re at port?”

  “Not long now. We’re pulling into Ithren, which should only be a bit farther up the coast. The storm blew us off course to the south, but only slightly. We should be there soon. After you get yourself and your room cleaned up,” she said, her eyebrows raised as she looked down at Renna,” we should be about there.”

  Blushing slightly, she thought about how she had dropped her vomit bucket onto the floor and the mess that it had made when it hit. Nodding her head to the captain, she made her way back down the hatch to clean herself up and mop her room.

  The sun hung just above the horizon as the Banshee lowered its sails and drifted slowly into the docks at Ithren. Buildings of smooth, white stone and deep red wood led up the hillside and into the mist-shrouded forest in the distance. The warm hues of the setting sun, slightly diffused, made the buildings and pathways glow red like they had been made of polished flame.

  Lowering the gangplank, Captain Lorsan stepped onto the redwood dock and was greeted by two elves in natural woolen tunics and dark pants. Each wore a dark blue robe with an emblem of a tall tree that vaguely resembled a tower with a star above its peak. After a short conversation, Lorsan handed the elves a small pouch and motioned for the crew to follow.

  Stepping in line behind the captain, the crew were led down a winding stone pathway past a sprawling two-story building with a spiraling tower that looked as though it had been made from white clay and twisted after it had been sculpted. Panes of stained glass in an assortment of colors and designs stood out against the bright, gemstone inlaid walls that rose up from the soft, green grass around them.

  “This,” the female elf said as she waved her hand, “is the college of Malumnae. Here, people of all walks of life come to study herbs, potions, and the interwoven relationship between sentient beings and the arcane aspects of the natural world around us.”

  Stepping out from behind Faine, Skara crossed his arms over his stomach and looked up at the elves. “And who’s allowed to study here?”

  The elves turned their heads and looked around the crew, focusing on the goblin. “Anyone is allowed to study here, provided they show aptitude. We don’t turn away anyone with a desire to learn away, no matter the race. But it does come at a high cost. Anyone attending must follow strict rules of peace and be willing to put in the effort and risk the dangers that living in Solis can bring. Now, if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to the inn where you may stay for the night. But you are always welcome to stay on your ship if that makes you more comfortable.”

  Looking around, Skara could see numerous races of elves, dwarves, men, and orcs, each of varying colors walking casually down the walkways. A small group of what looked like large, bipedal lizards with smooth scales nodded to him as they saw him looking out from the line of the crewmen behind the two guides.

  “I spoke the truth,” one of the elves said, seeing Skara’s surprised look. “Anyone may study here. Now, this way, please.”

  Following close behind the elves, a dense fog began to settle over the forest as they made their way deeper into the city. The stone pathways became wide, smooth roads, littered with fallen pine needles and bits of bark that had been she
d from the ancient growth around them.

  Shops and homes were built around the bases of the trees, the stone and wood weaving together to create something that looked like it had grown from the very forest around them. Lanterns of bright red flame burned in decorative metal and glass orbs that lined the fog-soaked pathways beneath their feet, or spiraled up the enormous tree trunks, lighting numerous houses and buildings near the canopy, each connected by swaying bridges high above the ground.

  “I can’t believe what I’m seeing,” Braig said, nearly tripping over Skara as he gazed at the structures built around the redwoods above him. “I never would have thought I would see anything like this in all my days.”

  Skara nodded his head as he stared wide-eyed at the sights around him. The forest he could see between the buildings was nearly black as the dark night settled in under the thick canopy above them. Small orbs of light darted between the trees, leaving fading tracers behind them as they moved around the towering trunks.

  “What are those?” Skara said.

  “They’re called wisps. Something similar to a forest sprite. They’re mischievous little things. So, whatever you do, don’t follow them...or you could end up getting lost.”

  Watching the wisps as they walked, the elves led them to an inn nestled between a small grove of moss-covered trees. Ferns lined the pathway to the door, and Skara could see a roaring fire burning inside the hearth through the light blue colored window.

  “Welcome to the Rock and Root. You’ll find all the comforts you need inside, so make yourselves at home and rest for the night. Or, if you wish, explore the city. But be sure not to wander into the forest. There are kynnwulvs out there that could swallow you whole. Captain, if you’d be so kind as to follow me, we can finish our business and begin loading your shipment.”

  The elves nodded to the line of the crew as they began to walk back the way they had come, stopping briefly when they passed Renna. Leaning closer to look into her eyes, the elves exchanged confused looks.

  “Excuse me?” the male elf said, waiting for her name.

  “Renna.”

  “Renna. Beautiful name. My friend and I couldn’t help but notice your eyes. It’s a strange thing to see one so dark, and one so light. I can see by your ears and tusks that you come from two different lines, but do you know much about either, particularly your elvish heritage?”

  Renna stepped back, her arms crossed over her chest. “I don’t know much. I know my father was half-orc, and my mother was an elf. Why?”

  “It just reminds me of some old stories that I’ve heard, that’s all. You can tell a lot about someone from their eyes. But no matter, I just think they’re beautiful.”

  A blush formed on Renna’s cheeks as she looked down at the ground. “Thank you,” she said as they smiled and continued walking down the path with Lorsan.

  “You have such beautiful eyes,” Faine said as he leaned towards Renna and puckered his lips.

  “Ugh. Begone, arda.”

  “Heard that story from Skara, huh? No matter. Now let’s go. It’s good to have my feet on solid ground again, and I could use a drink.”

  “I bet you could,” Renna said, following Faine through the door. “You have to do something to rinse the taste of that bilge-water out of your mouth.

  “So funny tonight.”

  “Let’s sit over here,” Braig said as he walked over to a table near the fire. “There’s a chill in the air tonight.”

  Taking a seat at a round table made from a solid chunk of a large tree, Faine waived to the barmaid. A plump elf with curly brown hair and dimples on her cheeks smiled and strolled over to the table, her green skirt flowing out behind her.

  “What’ll it be for you tonight?”

  “Well,” Renna said before Faine could answer, “we were told there were rooms available for the night.”

  “There are. How many will you need?”

  “How many are available?”

  “With the other guests, I have three left.”

  Renna tapped her tusk as she looked around the table. “We’ll take two. Someone else might need the third.”

  “I’ll put it in the books. Will there be anything else?”

  “What are kynnwulvs? One of the elves outside said it could swallow us whole.” Skara said.

  “Oh, I’m afraid it could. A kynnwulv is a wolf bigger than a grown man. They live out in the heart of Solis near the wild elves. It’s a dangerous place if you don’t know where you’re going. But you’ll be fine if you stay in town. They don’t come anywhere near us here.”

  Tapping his knuckles against the wood, Faine leaned forward, putting his elbow on the table. “Sounds scary. So, what’s something I can only get here? Food and drink.”

  “I don’t know about something only here, but we have fresh venison braised with red wine and herbs, poached pears, and soft bread with moonflower honey.”

  “And to drink?”

  “I would recommend the gluwein.”

  Faine’s eyes widened. “That sounds good. What is it?”

  “It’s a blend of our honey mead, sweet spices, and luminescent mushrooms. It’s sweet, and the mushrooms make it glow and give it an earthy taste. I hear there are variations elsewhere, but ours is the best.”

  “Hmm. I think we’ll take a bit of each,” Faine said as he looked around the table and nodded.

  As the barmaid walked away to gather their meals, Braig leaned in closer, keeping his voice low. “I know that this has been a hard trip for all of us so far. So if any of you want to stay here or turn back, I don’t blame ya for it.”

  Everyone around the table shook their heads.

  “We’ve come this far, why turn back now?” Faine said.

  Skara nodded. “Some of us don’t have anything to go back to.”

  Biting the edge of his lip, Braig looked around the room to make sure no one was listening. “I think I know where we need to go. I told you I had a dream about the stones and knew that one was in the wastes, but I wasn’t sure where. Well, I think I know now. It started when we got on the Banshee back in Mivara. There was something strange about the nothingness out on the water, and it made me feel calm. It must’ve stirred something in me because I can feel it pulling at me.”

  “What do you mean, pulling at you?” Renna said, moving her hands off the table as the barmaid set down their food and drinks.

  Taking a long drink of his wine, Faine waited for the barmaid to leave before leaning back in. “You mean like pulling you to the stone?”

  “I think so,” Braig said, pulling a piece of meat from the bone. “It’s like a rope tied around my insides, tugging at me.”

  Faine shrugged. “Maybe it’s just something you ate. I mean, how do you know it’s the stone?”

  “Because I’ve seen flashes of it. I see it, a dark shard in an old farmhouse. It’s like there are eyes everywhere, but I can’t see anything around me but the stone. It feels heavy. Like the air is alive and waiting to swallow me. I’ve been waking up at night covered in sweat, the image burned into my mind...and I just want it to stop. I don’t know what’s waiting for us there, but I think if I can get it, I’ll know what I’m supposed to do.”

  “Aenwyn mentioned something about the stone to me before we went to Stonekeep. She said it could have something to with a cult or the Denmol, the undead.”

  “Then, why even go?” Skara said as he poured honey on a piece of bread.

  “Because if we don’t get it, someone else will. And I’ll be damned if I let it end up in the hands of the brothers. Or worse yet, the hands of some king in Ethilios. And whoever took me in the first place has something to do with the king. Why else would we have seen the same Egara crest on a banner at the camp in Banrielle, and on the ship in Mivara? I’m sure the D.E. signed on the letter we found at the camp stands for someone from House Egara.”

  “And if we find it, what then?” Skara said. “Where would we go?”

  Renna thought about the inn t
hat Aenwyn told her she’d be staying at. Unsure of whether she’d be there or not, she felt it was best to leave out all the details until they had the stone and were looking for a way out. “We’ll head east, inland towards the mountains. I’ve been looking at Faine’s map, and it looks like our only option. There’s nothing but more wastes north. But if we head east towards the base of the mountains, there’s a village there that we might be able to find a ship at.”

  Wiping a bit of wine out of his beard, Braig looked around the table. “Do you believe that there’s something people are meant to do?”

  “You mean like being fated to do something?” Faine said.

  Braig nodded as he chewed on a piece of venison. “Something like that.”

  “I normally don’t buy into all of it. I think there could be any number of people working towards the same thing we are right now. To me, it’s all like a game. We were put here for entertainment, like playthings. But I’ll admit, things have been a bit strange. I don’t understand what your visions are about, or where they’re leading us, but they’re pointing somewhere. Maybe it has something to do with your vision of Emin back at the temple, or maybe it has something to do with the cult and the stone. But either way, I think that there are things that we choose to do for whatever reason, not necessarily that we’re meant to.” Faine took a drink of his wine and shrugged. “But then again, I don’t really know.”

  “I believe that sometimes we are,” Renna said, reaching out to take Skara and Braig by their hands. “How else would we have come together? Skara was carried to us poisoned, and you were carried to us in a cage. Or maybe, Faine and I were carried to each of you by any number of the choices we made in our lives. But what matters now, is that we’re all choosing to move forward together and see where this road goes.”

  “We are indeed,” Faine said, picking up his mug of wine. “But before we go any farther down that road, let’s drink our fill and chase some wisps. You never know what tomorrow will bring.”

  The Banshee