Everflame: The Complete Series

by Dylan Lee Peters

  It had been three days in telling, Ben hadn’t left out any detail. He had started with the explanation of his family and their mission to protect the ancient woman, Chera, and then he had gone on to relate the quest that begun when his family had met Evercloud, Riverpaw, and Whiteclaw. Tiber listened quite intently to the story once Felaqua came into the picture, and he found it quite difficult to remain calm.

  “I truly wish your party had come directly to the palace,” said Tiber. “We could have petitioned Sudali. My father could have forced the monk’s hand to aide you peaceably.”

  “I’m sorry, Tiber,” said Ben Floyd. “You have to understand that the majority of my party knew little to nothing of Felaqua and your culture. Captain Nesbitt was the only one who had dealings with your people, and we were under his direction. We knew we were in a very dangerous situation and had limited time to save Iolana, the ancient woman, Chera. We had to have faith that Nesbitt would lead us correctly. Nesbitt only meant to meet with Saquu. I don’t think he ever intended to involve us with Sudali. It just became necessity, and then… I am deeply sorry for what happened to Ulinawi. Tiber, you must believe me. My group strives toward the very same goal that Ulinawi did, so long ago. We never would have willingly brought harm upon him. We were forced into an unfortunate situation because of Sudali… I still wonder how that little monk knew what he knew.”

  “Sudali was overcome by his darkness, long ago,” said Tiber. “It is the belief of most Felaquans that Ulinawi never would have bonded with the man, had he first seen Sudali’s darkness.”

  “What happened to him?” asked Ben.

  Tiber sighed and returned to the table underneath the willow tree. Sitting across the table from Ben, he wiped a small amount of sweat from his forehead.

  “Sudali allowed himself to be overcome by pain, heartbreak and disappointment. He expected things one should not expect, and when his expectations were not met, he punished those around him. Realizing his mistake too late, he then began to punish himself as well as the world around him. Ben, the monks and the turtles are Felaqua’s greatest treasures. They are the embodiment of our values. The turtles embody nature and water. They symbolize the power that brings us fish in the rivers and seas, the power that grows fruit and vegetables on our trees and in our fields. They are the foundation upon which we build our world. The monks are the builders. They are the best of us. We value their intelligence, wisdom and knowledge over all else, for it is the brightest of us who show the rest of us the paths to success. The pairing of monk and turtle is the most sacred thing in all of Felaqua, because to Felaquans, it represents the harmony of wisdom and nature. The harmony of being given great gifts and using those gifts for the benefit of all. The monks and the turtles are to be the height that we all strive to attain… Sudali was a great monk before he allowed darkness to consume him. Sudali created the system of communication your group used to contact Saquu. It is a system used in many different places, all over Felaqua. He was the one who discovered that the oil of the Harboi Root could be used for medicinal purposes. He has done great things for Felaqua.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “Unrequited love. Sudali wished to win the favor of a certain girl who lived in Sanctum. She did not return Sudali’s love. He was unable to deal with his heartbreak and turned to dark magic. For all of Sudali’s virtues, he had never been a handsome man. Being a monk, I suppose, brings with it a certain measure of fame, and women are often attracted to fame. Sudali thought that being a monk alone might win him the heart of this girl. However, she did not wish to return Sudali’s affections and made this known to him with little gentility. You see, this girl Sudali had fixed his gaze upon was the most beautiful woman in all of Sanctum, or so it is said. This girl, being so attractive, had her own inflated ego, and laughed at Sudali when he professed his love. She mocked him for his small stature, she mocked him for his unpleasant features, and she even went as far as to question his very manhood. For all the girl’s beauty, it would seem she was rotten inside like an old fruit.

  “Sudali became enraged and returned to Ulinawi. It was a very long time, weeks, before he showed his face again. When he did return, he was changed. If he was unpleasant to look at before, he was now grotesque. His eyes spoke of malice and little else. What happened to him in those weeks, alone with Ulinawi, is a matter of much debate. It is quite possible that we will never know exactly what went on, but the general consensus is that Sudali attempted to conjure a dead spirit to wreak revenge upon the vain girl who had shunned his love. Attempting to conjure the dead is evil business and I have never known anyone who has tried it. It is said that those who try die in their attempts, with little exception. However, it is believed that Sudali was that exception, and though he did not die, the dead spirit took over his body and stained him with evil.

  “Sudali returned to the vain girl and worked an evil magic upon her. He turned her supple and delicate body into a monstrosity. The girl became large, swollen and green. Where her legs had been, he gave her many tentacles, like a creature from the depths of the sea, and he gave her many small arms that ill-fit her body. Sudali then gave her a giant monster’s face and set her upon fire. He said she would burn forever. The creature the girl had become turned to flee from Sudali and disappeared into the depths of the ocean, never to be seen again. Or at least, this is the story that is told.”

  “The Witch of Oldham’s Bog,” whispered Ben.

  “I’m sorry?” said Tiber. “What did you say?”

  “The story is true, Tiber. In Ephanlarea, there is a place called Oldham’s Bog and a witch lives there. She fits the exact description of Sudali’s girl.”

  “You have seen this… witch? She is real?”

  “I haven’t, no. But Riverpaw and Evercloud were nearly killed by her.”

  “We should take this information to my father,” decided Tiber. “He would be interested to know that the story of Sudali’s unrequited love may be true. It is no great proof, but still, I think he will be intrigued.”

  So Ben followed Tiber back into the palace. As they walked through the chambers and halls, Ben found his emotions confused. Here he and Tiber were, conversing as friends, acting as allies, sharing each other’s worlds, but there was still the torture, there was still the enemy. Tiber smiled at Ben as they walked.

  “I truly think my father will find this interesting.”

  Ben nodded and smiled back. He never touched us, but he commanded the torture of my brother and I. Shouldn’t I hate him more than I do? How can I allow myself to feel this free and easy around him? Ben’s thoughts carried him away to the room where he had been tortured and the chair he had been tied to. He remembered the faces shouting at him with venomous voices. He remembered the one who held the candle, the man with the long, black hair, Tiber. Ben remembered the hatred that had been etched upon his face, and then in the eye of Ben’s memory, he saw Tiber’s face change into his own. Now it was he who was holding the candle, it was he who was shouting accusations and questions, and the man in the chair… was Evercloud. Ben remembered that dark room he and Tomas had ushered Evercloud into, just after they had met him. Ben remembered his anger and most importantly, his fear. Evercloud hadn’t done anything wrong, yet Ben was ready to do anything he had to in order to protect himself and his family.

  Ben looked at Tiber again as they walked to find Count Allahnder and the only word that echoed in his head was reconcile.

  I still do what I need to do to protect my family and those I love, thought Ben. This man will help us. He is no different than I am.

  Tiber took Ben to a clandestine room behind a stairwell. The knob to open the door was a candleholder and the door did not swing wide, merely opening enough for a body to fit through. Once inside, they found Count Allahnder sitting at a small table, poring over documents and flanked by two armed guards.

  “Tiber,” said the Count with some alarm. “Why have you brought him here?”

  “Father,” began Tibe
r. “Ben and I were discussing the happenings of Felaqua and Ephanlarea and something quite interesting came up. I thought you would want to hear it.”

  Tiber went on to tell Count Allahnder that which he and Ben had discussed, and when Tiber had finished, his father’s frown only grew.

  “You displease me, Tiber.”

  “Father?”

  “You are allowing this man to play you for a fool. Don’t you see what he does? He is telling you exactly what you wish to hear as to gain your confidence. You’ve just marched him into a secret chamber. What will you reveal to him next? Hmm?”

  “Father, Ben is not an enemy, he merely came here to–”

  “Enough, Tiber!” the small Count shouted at his son. He then turned to a guard at his side. “Tell my fool of a son what our scout in Ephanlarea has reported to us.”

  The guard nodded. “There is war in Ephanlarea. An army calling themselves the Holy Kingdom of Chreos knocks upon the walls of the coastal kingdom of Nefas.”

  “And tell him of the bear,” said Allahnder, unconsciously rubbing his shoulder.

  “It is said that this army of Chreos has flying creatures at its command,” continued the guard.

  “Just like the bear,” grumbled Count Allahnder. “You see, my son. This man is nothing more than a spy who works for this evil army. He has been sent here to discover our weaknesses so that his kingdom may destroy us once they finish with Nefas.”

  “That is untrue!” shouted Ben. “It was you who asked to keep me here. I’ve never asked to glean any secrets of yours. Riverpaw and I have nothing to do with this army that attacks Nefas.”

  Tiber was conflicted. He looked at his father and then toward Ben.

  “Don’t let him fool you further, Tiber,” said the Count. “These spies, they find your weaknesses, your secrets, and exploit them. They’ll say anything to gain your trust.”

  Ben could see something change in Tiber and dread flowed through Ben’s limbs. “I’ve been honest with you, Tiber. You have to believe me.”

  “Guards,” growled Allahnder. “Take this spy to a more suitable holding cell. It seems we’ve been too liberal with him.”

  The two guards grabbed Ben firmly and quickly shackled his hands and legs.

  “Tiber, please,” pleaded Ben, but it was no use. Ben could see from Tiber’s furrowed brow that his father’s words had swayed him.

  “I am sorry, Father,” said Tiber through gritted teeth. “I’ve made a terrible mistake. One that I shall not repeat.”

  “See that the guards have this man into the dungeons promptly. Return to me afterwards, we have more matters to discuss.”

  “Yes, Father.”

  With that, Tiber and the guards escorted Ben Floyd out of the secret room and down a long, dark staircase. Torchlight grew dim as they proceeded and the air became musty. Tiber unlocked an iron door and all Ben could see was blackness on the other side.

  “Tiber, please. I never lied to you.”

  “Throw him in and leave us,” commanded Tiber and the guards obeyed.

  Ben was flung onto the cold, rock floor of the cell and the iron door swung shut and locked, leaving him without even the smallest amount of torchlight. He could hear the tinkling of keys being placed into Tiber’s pocket and then the sound of boots upon the floor as the two guards departed.

  Ben tried to plead with Tiber again.

  “Save your breath,” spat Tiber. “You have made enough of a fool of me, Ephanlarean.”

  “Tiber, I never lied–”

  “I said be quiet!! To think that I shared myself with you, shared my burden, and believed that you shared the same… Never again.”

  “I never lied to you,” Ben repeated stubbornly. “You and I are the same.”

  “If your army makes it to the shores of Felaqua, they’ll be greeted by your head on a stake.”

  Chapter 16: Stronger with You

  The muscles in Tomas’ arms rippled and his back was slick with sweat as he climbed the tree. The moss that grew thick upon the bark made for poor footholds, and his legs were still very weak, but Tomas had fought against his limitations. He had learned patience, and he had learned to navigate through his world once again. Every day was a new goal, a new test, a new triumph. Failure was not an option for Tomas, and the pains he suffered only served to renew his purpose. His arms became his strength, his mind became his weapon and his legs learned to do what was necessary to keep up.

  Tomas reached for a large branch and gripped it like a vice; his new calloused hands were as unyielding as stone. He lifted himself up and sat upon the highest bough of the old oak. Slowly, he brought his knees into his chest, lined his back up against the tree, and slid his body upward so that he was standing, head poking out of the leafy-green canopy. The muscles in his legs jolted him with pain, chastising Tomas for using them so, but Tomas would not give into the pain. He grit his teeth and stared into the setting sun, sweat pouring over his forehead and upper lip, victory washing over his soul.

  Tomas had forgotten how sharp his vision was. The wonderful ability that had been bestowed upon him by Tenturo was not something he used often. But now, looking out at the purple and mellow-orange clouds that hung in the sky like massive creatures in an ocean of warm air, he let his enhanced vision fulfill its potential. So vivid were his colors, so sharp were his details, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, Tomas felt able, powerful and whole.

  He inhaled deeply, held the crisp, invigorating air in his lungs like a precious thing and then let it go slowly. The clouds shifted ever so slightly and beyond the dunes of purple and orange fluff, Tomas saw an eagle soaring higher than he could have imagined. It was very far away, but he could see it. It seemed larger to him than it should be, but he assumed that his enhanced sight was merely playing tricks on him. He assumed he was simply ill-conditioned to gazing at such distances. He stared long at the eagle, breathing the ever-cooling air that would soon bring night to Elderton Forest. I should begin to climb down, he thought to himself. Things will become far more difficult in the darkness. Tomas looked back down toward the forest floor, contemplated his first step down, and looked back to the sky for one more enduring memory.

  “What?” wondered Tomas aloud.

  Down through the purple and orange of an ever-deepening sunset, came the eagle that had seemed so large to Tomas. Its stature had not diminished, yet it had flown so much closer than Tomas would have thought possible in such a short time. Am I really this unaccustomed to my own sight? thought Tomas. But before he could continue to wonder if what he was seeing were real, Tomas noticed the rider upon the eagle’s back. No… It can’t be... Annie?

  The wings of the great eagle buffeted the tops of the trees and Tomas held onto the old oak as fast as he could. In a clearing, roughly one hundred yards away, the eagle descended from the sky, disappearing from Tomas’ sight.

  “Dendrata!” he called into the air and she came to him without delay.

  “Did you see that wonderful eagle?” asked the spirit.

  “Yes,” said Tomas. “You saw it too? Help me down from here. It will take too long for me to climb down.”

  Dendrata lifted Tomas from the bough upon which he stood and flew with him, his feet glancing the tops of the trees, over to the clearing where the eagle and his rider had landed. Dendrata slowly descended to meet them.

  “Hello, Andor,” said Dendrata, bowing slightly to the great eagle.

  “You know the eagle?” asked Tomas.

  Dendrata nodded and then Tomas and Dendrata’s heads spun as a cry came from the eagle’s rider.

  “Tomas!” Before Tomas knew what was happening, Annie was flinging herself at him.

  “No, uh, Annie, don’t, I, uhhh, ahhhhh.”

  Annie ran into Tomas’ arms with a great hug, full of excitement after long time away from her fellow adventurer. Unfortunately, Annie never knew how weak Tomas’ legs were, and without warning, the two came tumbling down to the ground on top of each other.r />
  “I-I’m sorry, Tomas,” said Annie, blushing as she rolled off of the man.

  “It’s okay,” said Tomas. “It’s just my legs, they’re not… I mean, they were injured.”

  Annie looked terrified and quickly helped Tomas back into a standing position. “What happened?” she asked. “Are you all right?”

  “Well, yes. They’re getting better.” Tomas looked briefly past Annie’s concerned eyes and found Dendrata with her own look of concern.

  “You know this woman?” asked Dendrata, her words uncommonly cold.

  “Yes,” said Tomas, unsure at Dendrata’s tone. “We travelled together. She was a part of our group, before we split. We were trying to find all of you, the daughters of the Earth and Sun.”

  “So much has happened, Tomas. You have no idea,” began Annie, unable to hide her excitement.

  “A lot has happened to me too,” said Tomas.

  “I know… Riverpaw found us, Evercloud, Densa and I… Tomas, I think you should sit down… There’s a lot to explain.”

  “Is it… Ben?” Tomas’ jaw was agape and Annie could see the fear in his eyes.

  “No, Ben’s all right… but… Well, you should sit down. We have a lot to discuss.”

  So they did. Dendrata made a small fire in the clearing, and the four of them sat around its light as Annie began to fill Tomas in on everything he didn’t know. She began with all of the details of the daughters that Tomas, Ben and Riverpaw had not met, as well as the locations of the four gifts of the Skyfather. Then, she filled Tomas in on what had happened to Riverpaw and Ben in Felaqua, after Tomas had escaped. Finally, she told Tomas of Iolana and Densa. Tomas’ eyes filled with tears.

  “We failed,” he said simply, his voice cracking. “My family, the Floyds… we failed to protect her.”

  “Tomas, there was nothing you could do. Even Densa could not stop him. It’s not your fault. It’s nobody’s fault except the Tyrant’s.” Tomas was destroyed. He sat, staring at the small fire as its flames flickered and flashed in the night. Annie moved over and sat down beside Tomas, placing her arm around him. “I’m sorry,” she said.