by Tom Rogal
Cordela replied, “And you failed to summon me for such an occurrence?” Both laughed. “Listen, my love. One thing about you I respect is that you seem to make the right decisions in whatever it is you face. It is a quality most leaders wished they had.”
“I am no leader. Leaders get corrupted by power and lose themselves.”
“Not all do. My father, like Thamalos, is doing what he feels is right for his people. Thamalos might be trying to recapture Barbata, but I also know that he is acting to help his friends . . . to help the people here. Power is a temptation that can be used for good or evil. Yes, it can turn good men’s hearts black, but it can also be used to ward off those evils.”
Eraddor joked, “And I thought elves were the only ones with tremendous insight about life?”
Both chuckled again as Eraddor held Cordela closer. He loved the scent of her perfume. It was made of local berries one could only find from a vineyard up north. Since Valsuvis claimed it as his own, Cordela was the only person able to wear the intoxicating aroma.
“I will talk with my father tomorrow. He was probably tired from the celebration this past month. You should have seen him the weeks before. He was unbearable!” said Cordela.
“Thank you. I swear, one day we will not have to hide our feelings for each other.”
Cordela smiled and gave Eraddor a kiss on the lips. After their embrace, they stood and watched the stars in the sky, holding each other’s hands.
Levus sat on his bed at the inn. He didn’t know why, but he felt safer in the realm of the humans. Perhaps it was the fear of the unknown that arose among the other races. As of a few weeks ago, he hadn't even known elves really existed−a thought that kept recurring no matter how often he had pondered it before. The few days spent in Myyril were especially intense. He did not have the powers that Divi had, but he definitely could feel the hatred from the mages that walked by them. It would be quite a challenge to create peace between the humans and mages, going by his experiences in Myyril.
At a sudden knock, Levus shook away his train of thought and faced the door.
“Who is it?”
A familiar female voice was heard on the other side.
“It’s me, Divi.”
Levus walked toward the door and opened it with a loud creak. Divi stood on the threshold. She was dressed in her common garb, but it was the first time she was able to clean them thoroughly in the time he'd known her. She still looked as beautiful as the day they met.
“Can I come in?”
Levus almost forgot himself. “Yeah, come in. You’re always welcome.”
She smiled as she entered. He didn’t know what it was about her, but ever since he and Divi met, he hadn't missed Leeta. Usually when he was on his hunts, Leeta was the one thing on his mind. Perhaps the change came because of the situations they experienced together that she had no part in. Maybe it was . . .
“Kulatu siiemprenam”
No, of course it wasn’t that. He loved Leeta too much.
“Serlannantan yupuine.”
“You are always thinking, aren’t you?”
Levus glanced over toward Divi. He must have strayed in his thoughts again. But that voice was there too, despite the amulet he still wore.
“I’m sorry.”
She smiled and looked over at Levus’ midsection. “That’s okay, but would you mind taking your hand off the handle of your sword?”
Levus looked down. His hand was nearly grasping the hilt of the dark blade. That’s weird. He did not remember reaching for it. He sat in a chair near the door and put his face in his hands, wiping the sweat from his skin. Divi, who was now sitting on his bed, smiled as she stared with hope into his eyes once he removed his palms from them.
“This is the first time in days that we’ve been alone to talk, so . . . let’s just talk.”
Levus took a deep breath.
He asked, “What did you want to know?”
“First, thank you for saving my life back on the Paranock Fields and for being with me at Rudann. Tasi told me of your exploits.”
“No problem. I would make sure nothing bad happens to you. I’m surprised Tasi even let you know of them. Is that all you wanted to say?”
Divi felt reluctant to speak, but she knew it had to be asked.
“Levus, you hear a voice in your head. I want to know more about it.”
There was a short pause. Divi grew a little impatient. She had to know if the voice talking to Levus was the same one that had talked to her. If it was, the next question would deal with why it mostly spoke in the common tongue to her and spoke . . . the Other language to Levus. Would Ulcinar have gone to that much trouble?
She continued, “Please, Levus. I know you hear this voice. I hear one too. Can you understand what it says?”
Levus looked down again. He didn’t want to think about it, but Divi left him very little choice. He knew she was only trying to help because she cared.
He explained, “Well, yes and no. Sometimes it comes in clear, but most of the time . . . it’s some strange language. But . . . even then I can sometimes understand it.”
Divi stood up before she replied, “You’re hearing Quienterian. It’s an ancient elvish language that originated from their Cathuai ancestors. It's supposed to be an extinct language.”
Levus asked, “How do you know this?”
“Thamalos told me. Some of the language survive on documents, so I know a very limited amount. It was outlawed by the combined elvish races because the Eratuu based their language off it. Only a few elves today know of it.”
He faced her, not knowing how to react. What she was saying was a little too much for Levus to swallow. It didn’t explain why he could speak this supposedly extinct language.
“Levus, I seriously believe that you should get rid of that sword.”
How could she even suggest that? Of all people, she should know. She should know!
He yelled, “This is the only thing that I have of my father! He gave it to me after he used it for years.”
“And what happened to him?”
Levus stood up in a sudden blaze of anger. Perhaps that wasn’t the right thing to say, she thought.
He yelled, “Don’t talk about him!”
Levus drew the sword from its sheath. Divi backed to the other end of the bed. What's happening to him? She had never seen him this angry before. Levus stood steady and silent for a few seconds, with his breathing very heavy. He finally dropped the sword and looked at Divi as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Why was this happening? He buried his face in his hands.
She closed her eyes to feel Levus’ thoughts. There was a definite battle raging inside of him. It almost seemed like a second soul was inhabiting him, but only when he carried that weapon.
Levus said softly, “I think you'd better go.”
Divi wanted to talk more, but Levus would have none of it. She began to head out, but stopped to face him one more time.
“Listen. You know you can trust me. I know that when you want to talk more, you’ll come to me. Just never forget I’m here for you always.”
She waited a few seconds to see if he would react. With no response other than the shedding of tears, Divi exited the room, leaving Levus to muddle through his nightmares and confusion.
CHAPTER 15
Fight to Thorii
The next morning seemed to come quicker than Eraddor had expected. It was just a few hours ago that he had been with Cordela gazing at the star-laden night. Although he hated to admit it, he preferred staying in Cordca rather than Lozela. He believed it was mainly on the basis of comfort. Since the elves rarely slept, the concept of lodging had not grown on them. He did like the elves’ company and their companionship, though. He had even been offered marriage to the daughter of one of the most influential elven families next to Thamalos’. He respectfully refused. It was not that he wasn’t attracted to her, but there was a stronger force that ensnared his heart. One binding hi
m to someone else that not even the power of distance and time could disrupt.
He still found it unbelievable that Cordela and he had been hidden lovers for nearly ten years now. He yearned for the day to come when they would no longer be forced to hide this well-known secret. The resistance by King Valsuvis made their love even greater, whether he knew it or not. He'd thought a few times to run away with her to Lozela, but that would have caused serious backlash between the elves and the humans. He could never do anything that would put the elves in great danger because of his fantasies.
Eraddor was suddenly startled by a loud knocking on the door. He wondered who would be visiting him this early in the morning. As he opened it, a man dressed in lavish armor and an extravagant helmet topped by a large blue feather stood there impatiently. It was the typical dress of the Cordcan Palace Guard. Their job was the easiest and the hardest. Easiest because they were the last in line to see any combat. Hardest because they had to deal with the king and his bidding no matter how annoying or outrageous the task may be. The man said nothing, but rather reached to his side and pulled out a sealed envelope. After giving it to Eraddor, he turned around and left.
Eraddor looked over the letter as he closed the door. The paper was very elegant and smooth. He expected no less from something in the palace. The thing that took him by surprise was the seal: It was the seal of the Aldaran family. Eraddor ripped the wax off and took the letter out, quickly unfolding it:
Eraddor,
Bring those who travel with you to me.
Signed,
King Valsuvis Aldaran IV
Eraddor didn’t know what to think of this. He even questioned himself as to why Valsuvis would send the letter to him. The Aldaran king had a much closer relationship with Thamalos. Was it possible? No, she couldn’t have worked on him that quickly. There was only one way to find out. He grabbed his armor and dressed, preparing to fetch his companions and see exactly what the Cordcan ruler had to say.
***
“You are probably wondering why I summoned all of you.”
King Valsuvis sat on his throne with his daughter by his side. Eraddor, Thamalos, Divi, Levus, and Tasi all stood up after they knelt. Eraddor was very tense. He didn’t know what to expect from the Cordcan king. He didn’t sound like he was angry, but he knew all too well how deceptive the Aldaran family was. It was the one fatal flaw that they had, the one thing Eraddor felt would eventually bring about the fall of their line.
King Valsuvis cleared his throat before speaking.
“I thought over your request throughout the night and into the morning. I talked with a group of my most . . . trusted advisors. . .”
Eraddor looked quickly to Cordela, who smiled at her father’s words. Eraddor answered with a short smile. He knew exactly who the trusted advisor was.
“In the end, I decided to send one thousand of the troops that are stationed at Fort Za. I have a ship that will be ready by nightfall and will leave for Fort Za in the morning. After the mission, the leaders of all races must debrief with General Medkar.”
Eraddor gave a big smile at the small victory. He knew that meant telling one of the king’s men everything that happened. He was certain his elf friend was aware of this too, but to fight it would be counterproductive. Fort Za had its own hidden command structure that both races knew existed. King Aldaran had people who reported directly to him, just as Thamalos had elves who bypassed information to him. Thanks to their Elf Speak, it usually meant he found out faster than his human counterparts.
Thamalos took a couple steps forward. “I will assure that at least five hundred elves, if not more, will join up.”
Valsuvis continued, “The ship will make a pass toward Myyril to pick up any mage forces. I sent a representative to Myyril a few moments ago . . .”
Tasi interrupted, “Do not worry. They already know. Apart from being the ambassador for Myyril, I also have the strongest telepathic powers, apart from another who travels with us.”
Divi knew he was talking about her and smiled at him. Valsuvis scanned Tasi skeptically. Despite his willingness to help, it was obvious that bias against mages was still strong in the king. Eraddor had his own suspicions about the mage race, but that was a different story.
Valsuvis looked over the group. “I wish you the best of luck. Now I think it best to prepare for the trip. The southern route, though faster, is more treacherous.”
All of them bowed before turning to leave. As Eraddor glanced once more at Cordela, she smiled back. He also caught a glimpse of Valsuvis, who had a foul expression on his face. He didn’t want to see what his love’s father would do if he overstayed his visit, so he quickly left with the group.
Cordela moved to her father’s side and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you, Father.”
Valsuvis replied, “I did this only because of you. Just remember that the blood of all our men who die in this is on your hands.”
He stood up and walked away without ever looking at his daughter.
***
Night in Myyril seemed to fall early. With the cloudy skies covering the moon, a new evil seemed to blanket the town. Sydis observed this as an omen.
One of his most trusted advisors as well as the last student to complete his studies with him, Bironn, suddenly entered the room. At three hundred and thirty-seven years old, he was in healthy middle age. His beard was not very long since he had just recently decided to let it grow this past year. Mage males were encouraged to grow beards when they were older. Graduating from the School of Black Magic, he was taken in by Sydis to finish his personal training when his previous teacher died mysteriously. He didn’t offer to help Bironn because of his magical skill, which was questionable, if that. What he was, though, was a promising political figure and Sydis recognized that instantly.
Candlelight was the only thing illuminating the dark space his former master met him in tonight. Sydis didn’t physically acknowledge Bironn’s presence, continuing to gaze out the window instead. Bironn hated it when he was like this. Sydis was hard to judge when he had your full attention, so to not have it left one to guess. That was why Sydis usually won at whatever he did, because he was that good at fooling his opponents.
“Honorable Sydis, the ship from Cordca will be arriving in the morning.”
“Funny how this darkness we have tonight came from the direction our ship is sailing.”
Bironn looked down at Sydis’ observation. The old mage turned to face his former pupil.
“Tell me. Why are we even sending some of our men on this suicide mission?”
Bironn answered, “The Ettui are a threat to us all. Plus, our men usually are the reason why the allies are victorious.”
Sydis walked over to Bironn and put his hand on his shoulder. Finally, it seemed like his former student was beginning to understand. All these years he spent teaching him may still not have been in vain.
“You speak of great truth, my dear Bironn. Our magic can take out more in one attack than an elf’s arrow or a human’s sword.”
Bironn gave his old teacher an uneasy stare.
“You don’t mean . . .”
“A revolt?” suggested Sydis. “No, but whether this attack is successful or not, as the senior member of the council I cannot allow anymore mage involvement.”
Bironn asked, “If you weren’t incapacitated before the good doctor made his decision, we wouldn’t have sent anyone, would we?”
It was obvious that his last student was too curious about the wrong things. He knew there was a reason he started fresh with Cyprinus. Bironn still had too much of his first master’s teachings and influences from before his unfortunate passing left him in Sydis' care to complete. Sydis returned to staring out the window.
“You may go. I must replenish my strength.”
He was confused, but followed Sydis’ orders.
Before he left, though, Bironn reminded him, “Don’t forget that the election for the stewardship of Myyril is
soon. You will have a chance then.”
Sydis continued to stare into the cloud-laden sky. Receiving no response, Bironn assumed his old master would not give him an answer tonight, so he left. Sydis didn’t look back, but felt that Bironn’s presence was no longer in the room.
Alone, he said, “This attack will only bring further evil upon us all.”
***
The three ships arrived at Fort Za five days after they left Myyril. Fort Za was a large base that engulfed almost the entire island. For the elves, it was an ideal location to keep an eye on the Ettui. It also served as a place from which they could monitor some of their other island strongholds. On a clear day and with a telescope fitted with an Elf Eye lens, one could see the outline of Mount Hrithgorn, another famous stronghold, but now deserted for hundreds of years. For the humans, Fort Za was a way of satisfying their imperialistic nature.
Eraddor watched as men, both mage and human, began to pile aboard the ship. This was truly a sight. It was rare that nearly all the races got together for a common cause. The last time he could remember it happening was as a child. He struck a match and lit his pipe. He didn’t know what it was, but he felt something special about this upcoming mission. Though he felt it would be a success, he also thought that it would not end there. History was going to be made in the next few months and he wanted to be a part of it.
As he took a puff from his pipe, a hand touched his shoulder. Eraddor turned his head quickly. His surprise turned to joy and a large smile grew on his face.
Eraddor said, “Reitmina poiliumna sodum.”
The man replied, “Instrinta kimanita pol.”
Eraddor and the man exchanged a big hug.
“It is good to see you, Thetalis.”
Thetalis was the leader of the race known as the half-elves. They were the newest of the races, officially named only a thousand years ago. Although humans and elves had their differences, they were the only two races to ever cross breed and thrive. The elves never encouraged this, but didn’t stop it either. The children of half-elf parents lived longer, but still were mortal. Furthermore, as generations passed, the magical abilities that elves possessed weakened in the half-elves. The greatest strength the half-elves had was their knowledge of medicine as well as their ability to read the short-term future. Thetalis sat down next to Eraddor.