by Ben Hale
Elenyr exchanged a look with Water, shocked to silence. Was Nelia giving her entire kingdom to the elves? The enormous gift could not be quantified, yet it was evident by Nelia’s smile that she was sincere.
Stunned, Alosia stared at her. “What about your people?” she asked.
“We are moving to Talinor,” she said. “After my father’s betrayal, my people are divided and I see conflict in our future. By joining Talinor, and unifying our kingdoms, we can preserve our heritage, and also save Talinor. Wellith, son of Duke Relis, is well respected, and a marriage between us will seal our kingdoms.”
“Plus he’s rather attractive,” Shadow said with a smirk.
“That did not factor into it,” Nelia said, but a touch of pink appeared in her cheeks. Elenyr hid a smile, pleased by the plan for the future. She sensed Senia’s hand in the arrangement. When she’d been high oracle, she’d helped orchestrate such unions, and appreciated the elegant solution.
King Dothlore grunted in agreement. “I support this arrangement if you do, Alosia. I will even bring my race to build you a mighty citadel. Heth currently rests on the Giant’s Shelf, but we can turn that cliff into a refuge that will never fall, even to an army the size of Draeken’s.
Tears formed in the elven queen’s eyes as she looked to Dothlore, Annah, and Nelia. She tried to shake her head, but a refusal failed to escape her lips. Elenyr saw the weight she’d carried and hidden, the cost her people had paid, and now her neighbors were willing to shoulder the same burden.
“This has been our homeland for ages,” Alosia said.
“Are you really going to refuse a free citadel?” Dothlore sniffed. “I thought your response would be different.”
“You have my deepest gratitude.” Alosia laughed and wiped the tears in her eyes.
Nelia embraced the woman. “It is our deepest honor.”
Elenyr smiled and looked to the seed in her hand. “You hear that little one? It looks like you have a new home.”
Chapter 45: A Given Name
Two Years Later
“It’s time,” Mind said.
“Already?” Elenyr asked.
Elenyr looked up from the desk and peered out the door of the tent. The sun was nearly at its zenith, exactly two years since Draeken’s defeat. Excited, she placed the quill next to the parchment and stood. With great care she picked up the small pot that never left her side. The sapling extended from the soil, its strong limbs reaching upward to coil around her hand.
“Yes, it’s time,” she said.
The young sapling seemed to shudder in excitement, and Mind grinned. “She seems excited.”
“She won’t stop chattering,” Elenyr said.
“She only talks to you and Alosia,” he said, his tone one of admiration. “I must say, I think Urindilial chose wisely.”
“Come on,” Stella appeared next to Mind. “Everyone is waiting.”
Mind grinned and threaded his hand into hers, prompting the next visitor to groan. “You guys are disgusting.”
“Love you too, Shadow.”
Stella tousled his hair, and he brushed her away. Elenyr carried the pot to the door and they made space for her, allowing her to step into the open. Elenyr breathed deep of the cool breeze, her gaze sweeping the top of the plateau known as the Giant’s Shelf.
Camps dotted the top of the cliff, the tents occupied by members of every race, visitors who had come to see the planting. Most were already in the new city being constructed, and Elenyr made her way in that direction.
A river from the north split to either side, the two channels sweeping around the city being built by the dwarves. Tens of thousands of dwarves labored to shape the city out of the very cliff, forming curving tiers of stone descending toward the base of the city.
The center had been hollowed out and the dwarves had turned their attention to the structures. But at the base of the city, gardens filled the level, and plant mages had grown an assortment of flora. Waterways curved through the plants, flowing to a pool the elves called Horizon’s Edge, the pool overlooking the large forest below the citadel.
Over the last two years, citizens of Erathan had moved from their kingdom and into Talinor, where they were given lands and homes. The elves had gradually taken their place, filling the breadth of the new elven kingdom.
The many visitors climbing scaffolding or sat in half carved windows. Others packed the streets and steps, craning to get a look at the garden at the base of the city. All began to cheer when Elenyr entered the gardens.
She raised the pot in her hands as she approached the center of the gardens, and turned a circle so all could see. The kingdoms of Lumineia raised their voices in a mighty shout, their voices mingling with clapping and cries of praise to Ero, whom many attributed to have saved them from Draeken. Elenyr caught Jeric’s eye, and he stifled a grin.
Gathered in a circle around the small hole in the earth, an assortment of individuals had come by invitation. Light, Fire, and Water all stood together, and Mind and Shadow joined them. Stella took her place with them, as did Lira, Willow, Lorica, and Soreena. Fire kissed the druid woman, and Shadow groaned and looked away.
“Disgusting,” he muttered.
On the opposite side of the circle, Jeric stood with Tardoq, and surprisingly Belrisa, who’d come at Tardoq’s request. Tardoq had become an Eternal, and although Belrisa had not accepted the invitation, she remained an ally and friend. Elenyr caught her gaze and smiled, and the towering dakorian smiled in turn.
Rune stood a little apart, but she looked very little like the girl she had during the war. Elenyr had not seen her in over a year, and had no idea where she’d gone, but the girl looked older, her eyes firm and steadfast. Elenyr fleetingly wondered if she would become an Eternal.
The monarchs of Lumineia occupied the next arc of the circle, with Queen Nelia standing beside her husband, the newly crowned King Wellith. He waved to the people and smiled at his young bride. The wedding had been a few months ago, but Elenyr was pleased to note the growing affection in their eyes. A good pairing.
Queen Annah stood beside her friends, a small smile of triumph on her face. She’d spent the last few months rebuilding Terros and Griffin, but had still managed to send aid to help in the construction of the new elven capital.
Now Queen Aranian, and her sister, Princess Melora, stood together, both smiling as Elenyr met their gaze. Melora had remained true to her word, and sought to repair the damage she’d caused as a member of the Order. She’d regained the trust of her people, and proven to Elenyr that she lived up to her mother’s hopes. Erisay would be proud.
The orc king, who’d succeeded his father after the war, and the gnome king stood with Queen Rynda. Towering over most of the group, she stood with her arms folded, tapping her feet impatiently.
Queen Alosia claimed the last section of the circle, and stood with Thorilian and Venia, as well as Captain Horn and Princess Serania, first in line for the throne when Alosia passed. The house of Runya had distinguished itself in the war, and when it was discovered that one of the two ruling houses had been destroyed, the house of Runya had taken its place. Captain Horn and Princess Serania were regarded highly by all races and Elenyr liked the idea of the new monarchy.
Elenyr advanced to the hole, where Senia, Alosia, and Dothlore joined her. Alosia activated the amulet on her neck and raised her voice to the city. Her booming words gradually quieted the noise.
“People of Lumineia, on this day we have much to celebrate. Our lands are healing, our people have begun to rebuild, and as of this moment, The Great Draeken War is part of history. As we plant our new mother tree, let us never forget the sacrifice of those who died for our freedoms. In this, the city of Azertorn, we welcome you, and hope our nations can forever be allies.”
Elenyr knelt beside the carefully groomed hole and removed the sapling from the pot. She placed the sapling in the hole, whereupon the roots wiggled into place and shivered in delight. Elenyr smiled and spre
ad the soil around the plant.
“Welcome home, little one.”
The leaf caressed her hand. Elven plant mages stepped forward and infused their magic into the tree, the trunk swelling in size, the roots thickening and diving deep. Limbs stretched into the sky, and leaves blossomed from sudden buds. Ten feet, twenty, and then thirty feet. The elves retreated and the tree stretched to its newfound strength.
Alosia stepped forward and reverently placed her hand on the trunk, listening for the name the tree had chosen for herself. Many looked in Elenyr’s direction but she kept her features fixed. Elenyr had helped the sapling pick a name, but there was no need for that truth to be known.
“Le Runtáriel!” Alosia raised her voice. “She has come home!”
A cheer went up, the sound sweeping across the city of Azertorn. It spread all the way to the tenth tier, where tens of thousands waved and shouted. Elenyr smiled at the gathering, and felt their joy in her bones. They had been victorious against Draeken’s might, and all felt the triumph keenly.
When the noise had subsided, Queen Alosia motioned to Elenyr, and she stepped in front of the group. Unable to constrain her smile, she used her own sound pendent to address the gathering.
“Many have been honored in the last two years, for their bravery, valor, and sacrifice. Today there are five who deserve a special honor, the five fragments of a single shattered soul. Please step forward, and accept your reward. Her sons shifted in surprise, and then took places at her side.
What are you doing? Mind spoke into her thoughts.
You’ll find out soon enough, Elenyr said.
She then turned to the crowd, which had fallen to widespread chatter and speculation. Few knew that the fragments and Draeken had once been one and the same, and most thought Draeken had been created by Serak. At Senia’s urging, the truth of Draeken’s origin had not been recorded, and so the people viewed the shattered soul as heroes.
“These five mages were born as guardians,” Elenyr said. “And today they gain one thing they have always lacked. A name.”
She stepped in front of the fragment of Shadow, who grinned, obviously excited at the prospect. Elenyr smiled in turn, and proclaimed the first of the names that she’d carefully crafted.
“Jerison Myst,” she said, handing an amulet to Shadow. “Your new name is granted to you by the kingdoms of Lumineia. Do it honor.”
“Not if I can help it,” Shadow said with a smirk.
Elenyr smiled and stepped to Fire. “You have fought with firebirds and dragons, and so your name will be Firehawk, soon to join the clan of druids.”
Soreena smiled broadly at that, and Fire accepted the offered medallion. Elenyr advanced to the next in line, the fragment of Light. He was veritably bouncing on his feet, his excitement causing his skin to shimmer.
“Light,” she said tenderly. “You have distinguished yourself in battle, and called down light from the sky to fight the enemy. Your new name I give to you, that you will be known as Teril Gaze.”
“Epic,” he breathed, accepting his amulet.
She stepped to the next in line. Water’s expression was concerned, probably because he retained a portion of Draeken soul. He might think he did not get a name, but Elenyr swept a hand to her son.
“You have enlisted dragons and battled foes across the four corners of Lumineia. Your new name is Davin Whitethorn.”
Water inclined his head in gratitude and accepted the medallion. Elenyr stepped to the last of her sons, who regarded her with a curious expression. Elenyr removed the last amulet from the pouch and held it aloft.
“And to you, I give the name Keldon Braon.”
His lips tugged into a smile as he interpreted the last name. “A victor’s mind.”
“Indeed,” she replied, and then stepped to the side. She swept her hand to her five sons, the shattered soul that had ultimately conquered Draeken. “I present your champions, the five warriors of Lumineia.”
The cheers were deafening, the sound reverberating off the stone walls of Azertorn. Elenyr’s smile was as bright as her sons, and she gazed upon them in pride. She never imagined when she’d taken charge of the fragments that it would lead to this, but watching her sons stand with pride before the people they had served and protected filled her with joy. This was her family. This and Lumineia.
She noticed Belrisa’s eyes upon her. The dangerous dakorian bore a curious expression, and Elenyr realized the woman recognized that Lumineia was an oasis, one still under threat by the Krey Empire. In that moment Elenyr understood why Belrisa had chosen to help in the fight against Draeken. Lumineia possessed the one weapon that could topple the Empire, and if Lumineia survived, it gave her hope.
Belrisa caught her gaze and nodded, and Elenyr nodded in turn. Then she faced forward and smiled, her thoughts turning to the future. She’d protected Lumineia before, but she sensed her time among the people had come to an end. It was time to prepare for the conflict with the krey.
It was time to join the Eternals.
Epilogue: Master and Servant
Zoric limped his way down the stairs of Xshaltheria, wincing as his twisted leg came in contact with each step. He cursed the fragments and the Hauntress. They had destroyed everything, and now only he remained.
He’d been hurt in the battle at Xshaltheria, and woken in one of the healing tents. The soldier that had found him had thought him a member of the guard, and had tried to heal his wounds. But the gash to his leg had gone too deep, and it had taken him months before he could walk, months where he’d languished in healing halls, manipulating the memories of all those he encountered.
When he was finally able to walk, he’d worked his way east, passing the many caravans threading their way to Azertorn. Their excitement elicited anger, but Zoric held the emotion in check. Alone, he was vulnerable, and his foes would not hesitate to kill him.
He’d searched the breadth of Blackwell Keep and now Xshaltheria, driven by a desperate hope that he would find Serak or Draeken. The Father of Guardians had disappeared, and Draeken had Gated out of the battle, never to be seen again. It was a fool’s hope, but his only hope.
He reached the base of the fortress and leaned against the wall to survey the pockmarked platform at the base of the hanging citadel. Then he noticed the shimmering chains on the wall and his eyes widened.
“Master?”
An ethereal body gradually took shape, and Draeken appeared. He growled, his features fading and then returning. He looked to Zoric with burning eyes, and Zoric wiped furiously at the tears on his cheeks.
“Master,” Zoric said, dropping to his knees, “I thought you were dead.”
“They cannot kill me,” Draeken snarled, but the sound seemed distant.
“Tell me what I can do and I will free you,” Zoric said.
“I am not on Lumineia or the Dark World,” Draeken said. “They trapped me here, where only time can touch.”
“Tell me how—”
“I CANNOT BE FREED!” Draeken’s body shimmered to solidity, and then faded again, bits of silver and purple floating through his flesh.
“You live,” Zoric protested. “Surely there is a way we can return to power.”
“I have become the Dark Gate now.” Draeken’s voice was suddenly bitter. “I control a broken Gate, and it has become my prison.”
Draeken began to fade from sight, his features twisted in anger, and Zoric surged to his feet, his desperation leaking into his voice.
“The world of Lumineia celebrates your defeat,” Zoric shouted. “Give me time, and I will find a way for us to have our revenge.”
“Time,” Draeken gradually appeared, and then his eyes narrowed. “Perhaps you can be of use. I am bound to the Dark Gate, but that does not mean it cannot be repaired. Go to Blackwell Keep, and learn what you can of my plans there. Repair the Gate and I will reward you with accolades and gold, positions and power.”
Zoric bared his teeth in a grim smile. “I would settle for th
e death of the fragments, and the Hauntress.”
“That I would gladly give,” Draeken said. “I grow weak, but the Dragon’s Sleep will help you survive through time. Prepare the way, my servant, for one day my four generals will again walk this land, and then the people will learn to fear what rises from obscurity. My return will be my victory, and the end of Lumineia.”
The Chronicles of Lumineia
By Ben Hale
—The Shattered Soul—
The Fragment of Water
The Fragment of Shadow
The Fragment of Light
The Fragment of Fire
The Fragment of Mind
The Fragment of Power
—The Master Thief—
Jack of Thieves
Thief in the Myst
The God Thief
—The Second Draeken War—
Elseerian
The Gathering
Seven Days
The List Unseen
—The Warsworn—
The Flesh of War
The Age of War
The Heart of War
—The Age of Oracles—
The Rogue Mage
The Lost Mage
The Battle Mage
—The White Mage Saga—
Assassin's Blade (Short story prequel)
The Last Oracle
The Sword of Elseerian
Descent Unto Dark
Impact of the Fallen
The Forge of Light
Author Bio
Originally from Utah, Ben has grown up with a passion for learning almost everything. Driven particularly to reading caused him to be caught reading by flashlight under the covers at an early age. While still young, he practiced various sports, became an Eagle Scout, and taught himself to play the piano. This thirst for knowledge gained him excellent grades and helped him graduate college with honors, as well as become fluent in three languages after doing volunteer work in Brazil. After school, he started and ran several successful businesses that gave him time to work on his numerous writing projects. His greatest support and inspiration comes from his wonderful wife and six beautiful children. Currently he resides in Missouri after completing his Masters in Professional Writing.