In A Time Of Darkness

by Gregory James Knoll

  * * * * *

  The afternoon sun peered through the thick canopy of leaves, breaking through in sporadic rays all about the clearing where they had decided to nap. Elryia had unknowingly and unluckily rested her head where one happened to shine down. Blaring on her, she woke with an unpleasant groan. Now roused, she rubbed her head trying to both draw out the grogginess and mat down her platinum hair. Once she had her focus, El cast it about the camp, making sure that everyone was accounted for.

  And everyone was. Everyone except Sam. Which led to part of Elryia’s sudden stress, she had not slept well—all because of him. Every time she retired, she had rested easily knowing that he was on watch. Yet this time, despite them being entirely safe—regardless of the Elven guards that patrolled the trees—Sam had opted, again, to take watch. He had even argued when Elryia tried to convince him it wasn’t necessary. Since then, not all seemed right. She couldn’t shake the growing feeling he was hiding something.

  She turned the other way, checking to see if he had made his way back, losing herself in thought and the massive rows of pathways they had already passed. Something caught her eye and her focus lay solely on one trail ahead. As she sat in concentration, an itch grew on the back of her head, then her hair flicked. Thinking it one of the many insects that occupied Sharia, El simply waved her hand at it. Moments of peace passed, then, again, a twitch against her hair—this time harder—followed by a faint giggle.

  El faced it abruptly only to spy a crouched Merial holding a stick towards Elryia’s head. “You’re awake,” she addressed with a bright smile, putting her hands behind her back, hiding the evidence.

  With a playful glare, El stood completely and dusted herself off, “You’re in a good mood.”

  “This forest is amazingly peaceful. Makes for a pleasant rest.”

  Elryia sighed, wishing she could say the same. She saw everyone else stirring, but still no sign of Sam, “Have you seen Samsun?”

  Merial shook her head and went to speak, but she was cut off by a voice in the distance.

  “I’m right here.”

  Elryia turned as Sam was stepping into the clearing. The young woman was fit to chastise him, but Merial beat her to it. Yet hers was a playful interrogation, Elryia’s would not have been.

  “Where have you been?”

  He looked at Elryia briefly before passing and locking his gaze on Merial, “I couldn’t sleep. So I went ahead to see how close we were.”

  Elryia grew even more curious, more suspicious. Something still was not sitting right with her, though Merial simply shrugged it off. “I hope we are,” Mare expressed, walking with him as they headed towards the group.

  “Aye, very.”

  Elryia stayed behind, stunned and silent, with a skeptical look. Eventually she cast it off, thinking it only paranoia. Especially after he helped her gather everyone up and took point when they moved on.

  They studied four sets of footprints and treaded down half that number of trails before Layanese’s gold and green canopy came into view, this time almost stretching over them. Now with them being so close it dawned on Elryia that she knew not what to say to the council. She trusted that Lanyan was speaking with them, sharing a brief overview and his opinion of the situation. But would it be enough? The council held Lan in the highest regard. At one point they had even asked that he sit amongst them. It would help, but they still may require more—and it would have to come directly from Elryia.

  With the dwarves, everything had the potential of running smoothly. Their race encountered taxes and their resources were robbed while they were forced to work for Idimus. They were victims of his roving patrols and thirst for control, just like the humans. Persuading the dwarves would be simple.

  Doing so with the elves would not be. As hard as Idimus had tried, he could not break through their barriers. He sought to rob them of their magnificent weapons, to take their purified water; yet they had managed to stay safe within their own forest. Elves that had left the sanctuary were often imprisoned and used in Perticus’ twisted experiments, but those were few in number. Elryia didn’t believe it would be enough reason to convince the race to rise up. They needed to be won over; and since Idimus wasn’t a direct threat to them, it would be a very hard thing to do.

  “This is amazing…” Merial gasped, drawing Elryia’s attention up.

  The last corridor broke away into a massive circular clearing. Elven homes were located all along the edge. Some were small wooden huts with tight-knit oak leaves as cylindrical roofs. Others were long rectangular buildings made of glazed timberland, gold painted canopies. Between each home—no matter the design—was an ivory pike, intricately carved with strange symbols and sharp lines. Black crow statues adorned the top, small fires burning in their open maws.

  Ribbons of all colors—commonly red, gold and yellow—hung from the corners of each building. Even more could be found on the outer walls of the trees that formed the sanctum’s backdrop.

  Birds glided along the curving trail, halfway between the ground and Layanese’s protective dome. Below them, elven women clad in woven dresses and flowing sashes moved just as elegantly. Some swayed their way to the river, clay jugs in their arms. Others with baskets of fruit danced from one house to the other. Elven children ran carelessly through the open area, holding ribbons of their own high above their heads and letting the wind take them over. Flutes and soft drums could be heard far off in the distance, amidst soft jingling and even softer laughter. As the group entered, elves smiled and bowed cordially—the guards parting as they passed.

  “Welcome,” one of them said as they stepped forward. Every head in the group was flowing, gazes smoothing about as the each tried to take it in all at once. Everyone, with the exception of Gort, who was walking with his head down and his arms crossed. “Are they celebrating something?” he grumbled.

  Elryia stepped up. “No. This is what they are like every day.” She too, appreciated the view. “A life without Idimus. Happy.”

  The Dwarf’s face soured, but the hint of a smile dance across his lips, “I hate it.”

  El chuckled, patting his head as she strolled along, “I knew you would.”

  Merial chased up behind Elryia, locking a hand under her arm, “I want to live here.”

  The young woman smiled and nodded, “Aye, me too.”

  Merial stopped abruptly, looking directly forward, “Wow…” she gasped with wide expressed eyes. Elryia shifted to see what had her so stunned.

  In the middle of the clearing was Sharia’s legendary tree: Layanese. The canopy stretched above the outer circle of forest, a gap of twenty feet between them, clear open sky between it. The sun focused and bent through the slit—forcing it to shine directly onto the trunk of the sacred landmark where the council’s chamber sat. A long, wide, one-floor marble structure tucked tightly against the massive, crooked roots. The tree, as well as the structure, sat on a tiny island in the middle of the clearing, enclosed by a brilliant blue river that flowed out behind Layanese towards the southern end of Sharia.

  A lengthy red bridge stretched from land to land, gold posts at the entry and exit with chains of the same luster joining them across. Guards stood watch on the inside edge, blocking the marble steps that lead to the chamber. They were much wider than the actual structure and narrowed as they led up to the flat balcony. Grooved marble pillars held up the thick, angled roof. At its end, it sloped up as though reaching for the sun that cast only inches above it. In the middle was the entryway, large black doors with golden trim, and on either side burned a large cauldron, sunken into a tripod stand.

  “How could Lanyan leave this?” Merial gasped, her eyes sparkling.

  With a shrug, Elryia stared at the ring of sunshine that flowed down over the chambers, “I don’t know, but I imagine that he’s happy to be home.” They crossed the bridge and then stepped to the edge, Elryia looking to one of the guards, “We are Lanyan’s guests here to speak to the council.”

&nbs
p; “Ah, Elryia I presume. We did not expect you this quickly. Congratulations on passing the trial,” With a bow he took a step back and then faced the chambers. “Please, wait here,” he spoke before climbing the stairs and entering through the door.

  Carsis looked around, “Where’s Lanyan?”

  El paused for a moment and then gazed up, “Here he comes.”

  Lanyan strolled down the steps, smiling at Elryia all the while. “Half the time it takes most people to get through. I knew you would be fine,” he hugged her gently and then shook Carsis’ hand, dipping his head to the others briefly. “Ready?”

  She smiled and then nodded briefly, “Aye.” El took a breath before turning to make sure everyone followed. There she caught a glimpse of Samsun still standing at the bridge, facing back the way that they had come, “Sam? Are you well?”

  He turned, looking distressed as he spoke, “Fine. Just got distracted by this place.”

  She waited for him then finally took one step into the chamber, “Onward we go.”