Aerinas listened carefully to Krüna's words, almost in disbelief at what he was hearing. His heart was burdened with the news of the evil overshadowing Vaalüna, the land he wanted to wander and explore so adamantly.
"Of whom do you speak?” questioned Aerinas with lips pursed. “Is it I?"
"No, it is not you, Aerinas,” answered Krüna, “but one with whom you have developed a friendship."
"That could be any number of people,” said Aerinas. “How am I to know who will look into the mirror?"
"I am not obligated to give you answers to riddles which you yourself will soon solve.” Krüna smiled at Aerinas as he hung his head once more.
"Do not let your heart be troubled by these events, Aerinas,” said Krüna, intent on intercepting each sorrowful thought of Aerinas before it consumed him. “You have been chosen to undertake the task of finding out where Haarath is going, and where the entrance is to Trünith in the land of Dunandor."
"But, what of my father and the rest of the members of the party? I cannot abandon them to strike out on my own. I need their help."
"It is not in our power to force you to do this, let alone tell you how to begin. We are the protectors of the earth; our powers are great, yet they have limits just as all things do. We can foresee these things, examine them, and decide a course of action, but ultimately it must be carried out by a mortal son of Vaalüna. Our task is to aid the chosen one on his journey, and that I shall."
For the first time since he had started dreaming about her, Aerinas felt that he knew the spirit-borne lady in front of him, and could trust her. She meant him no harm, but only meant to guide him in his path toward an end that he could not bear to think about. His thoughts turned to his father and Aeligon traveling to danger, toward the Farrin Mountains.
"My father! Aeligon! They are in danger, Krüna. I must find a way to reach them,” Aerinas shouted. “I will never get there in time."
"Be patient, my dear Aerinas,” came the soothing tranquility of Krüna's voice. “You have yet to witness things of this world, while remaining ignorant of their power. Do not let this be your nemesis."
Screeches rang forth as Krüna raised her hands to the sky. Down from the clouds soared a large bird, with its wings outstretched as it glided serenely to the ground. The bird was enormous by Aerinas’ measure, much larger than even Krüna's spirit form suspended above the water. As the bird landed, its wings retracted and it belted out another strident screech.
The bird was a roc, one of the winged protectors of the sky and ally to the Enath-Hüdain people. It was said that anywhere a roc was spotted the Earthbound spirits roamed. Rocs could hold several passengers and their belongings upon their backs, and wing their way across the sky gracefully. With one fellow warrior bearing no belongings, a roc was a great ally and warrior as well. With huge talons and a pointed beak, it could ravage an orc army to bones with little more than a twitch. Hunting and fishing came easily too, and this made young Aerinas smile at the thought. A saddle was laid across the back of this roc, which Krüna called Wesnoc.
Krüna spoke to Wesnoc. She commanded him to be Aerinas’ guide, to protect him as much as possible, and to take him wherever he wanted to go. Wesnoc nodded his head and said, “I will obey your commands, Mistress Krüna."
Krüna turned to Aerinas at last. She let her feet touch the ground near where he stood.
"My dear Aerinas,” she said with a smile as she graced his cheek with her empty hand. “I have one more task to challenge you, so that all doubt may be laid to rest. At its end, you will be assured of your strength."
Aerinas stood proudly, shoulders back, awaiting Krüna's challenge. From the mist drifted a small boat on the water. It was unmanned, yet veered directly for the shore toward Aerinas.
"I bid you to sail to the center of this lake, Aerinas,” Krüna said as she gestured toward the craft; it came to rest. “There, you will be granted a gift that will open the doors of your mind for this journey."
Aerinas, though fearful of the unknown, felt an inner fortitude swelling in his heart. He knew what he must do. Something inside called to him.
Once he jumped inside the dinghy, he realized that he was still without his sword or bow. Without his having to utter a word, his sword appeared before him.
"You will not need your bow, but you may need this,” Krüna said to him.
Aerinas gripped the hilt of the blade as it floated toward him in the air. Across the blade were emblazoned runes that had not been there before.
"My people have strengthened this blade for you, and have given it a special power that only you can unlock. You are now as one,” Krüna said.
He nodded to Krüna, gave her one last serious glance, and started rowing toward the center of the misty lake.
Aerinas rowed through the deepening water as his mind waded in his thoughts. The sun, broken fully from the clouds, shone its golden beams down upon the water. The mist retreated quickly as the rays evaporated the sparkling droplets from the warmed air. Wind currents teased at his long hair as they sped along the surface of the water, blurring the mirror-like state of the placid surface. Wesnoc could still be seen on the shore when Aerinas turned to look back. He had no idea of how far he had to go until he reached his destination, but he knew he must be close.
Aerinas reached a spot on the lake when he could row no further, no matter how hard he pushed the water aside with the oar. The craft now rested at the center of the lake. He looked around. He could no longer see the shoreline in any direction. No more could he hear the sound of birds or land animals. He removed the oar from the water and waited for what was to come next.
Suddenly, Aerinas spun to the sound of churning water. About a hundred yards away from the boat, the water broke violently. Aerinas gasped in terror at what headed straight for him. Though he could not fully see the creature, the large dorsal fin that pierced the glassy surface told Aerinas what pursued him. It was a Carcaradon, the protector of Fenduin Lake spoken about on Aerinas’ map. Though these creatures were known throughout Vaalüna as the carnivores of the sea, this one had been brought here long ago by dark forces to try and rid the lake of the Enath-Hüdain. Of course, their enemies did not realize the true nature of the Enath-Hüdain, and the menace was simply forgotten. Over the years, it had grown to an immense size that was unheard of anywhere else in the explored regions of the world.
Why did Krüna send me here? Aerinas’ mind raced to find a way out of the water. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a hard twist of the boat as the Carcaradon slammed into its side. The elf grabbed for the side of the craft to keep from tumbling over the edge into the infested water. The boat spun violently. In desperation, Aerinas drew his sword. The beast made waves as it turned to make another attempt to upend the stranded elf.
In that moment, Aerinas found his strength. His eyes narrowed while he waited for the beast to pass again. All of his emotion and wit welled up inside him, coursed through his veins, empowering him greatly. Unbeknownst to him, his blade began to glow as red as a flame. Some hidden inner power had been unleashed. The blade fed off the energy, unlocking its new strength given to the metal by the Enath-Hüdain. The Carcaradon sped swiftly toward Aerinas at an amazing speed. Waves crashed in around it as it lifted its head out of the water, with mouth wide open. Sharp, white daggers lined the mouth, dripping with water and entrails of prey recently consumed. The sword shone brightly in Aerinas’ hand, throbbing with the rhythm of his heart. Just as the beast was upon him, ready to clamp down with tons of force, Aerinas jumped high into the air. The boat was devoured in a barrage of splinters as the teeth tore through it. Aerinas, airborne, flipped his sword upside down in his hands, blade targeting the top of its head as he descended upon the beast. Before the creature splashed beneath the waves, the blade found its mark. The sword pierced the rough skin of the fish, driving the red hot metal easily through the bone and brain tissue. The Carcaradon thrashed viciously, its eyes rolled white to black then black to
white. Aerinas was thrown clear and splashed into the cold lake, knocked unconscious. After the thrashing ceased, the razor-mouthed menace floated limply on the surface of the lake, dead, with the blade sticking out of the top of its head. The metal had lost its radiance now that Aerinas had released his hand from the hilt.
Aerinas felt his body being lifted up out of the water, then laid upon the soft ground. He opened his eyes, and the blurred vision of Krüna standing over him rushed into his senses.
"What ... what happened?” groaned Aerinas wearily.
"You are back on safe ground now,” said Krüna softly. “You fought bravely, and have defeated the Carcaradon of Fenduin Lake."
Aerinas sat up. Dripping wet, he asked, “Did you send me there knowing of the guardian?"
"Yes, I did,” admitted Krüna. “Only in the direst of moments do the true gifts one possesses manifest.” She looked down at the blade that she had withdrawn from the carcass and laid at Aerinas’ side. “You know of what I speak, do you not?"
Aerinas lowered his head, paused for a moment, and then raised it while nodding to her. “Yes, I do. I never felt such power before. What is happening to me, Krüna?"
"You are a High Elf of the realm of Anwarna, Aerinas, and a descendant of Lythardia's line of Krayn Elves. Your blood is wrought with the essence of a magic thought long ago wiped from this earth. We suspected that it had been reborn. I have felt it all these long years in you, yet now the test has proven it so. Only a High Elf can possess such magic, since it is not a practiced art, such as a wizard's craft. This magic is the fabric of the Vaalüna Plane, and once was plentiful. However, the warlock Hydrais and his minions have long since destroyed any trace. The spirit of the land, sea, and air has once again bestowed this gift upon a Chosen One ... you, Aerinas. The gift you were given was one that you already had. Always present this magic has been, but left untested and unchallenged, dead would it be to you now."
Aerinas was speechless, yet somehow knew her words to be true. His blade was not magical, though the runes upon it granted strength and quickness. Instead, it merely acted in response to a command given from within this untapped power he possessed. The runes reacted to him! The elves of long ago had forged this blade in the heart of the city of Lünathar to the north, in the land of Salanthanon. Back then, magic was not just a learned craft, but one that was gifted from the earth to those who were deemed worthy recipients. The Enath-Hüdain were the arbiters of these endowments.
It all became so much clearer to Aerinas. He spent a few more days at the shore of Lake Fenduin talking with Krüna and others of the Enath-Hüdain race, and learned more of his innate abilities. He then helped destroy the body of the Carcaradon. He asked many questions of the earthbound spirits. The elf learned that his horse had died trying to escape through the bramble when it panicked that night. This greatly saddened Aerinas, but there was nothing he could have done to save him.
"He was the finest of horses,” said Aerinas sadly.
"We know, and his spirit now roams the land,” said Krüna. “Do not worry. He is well taken care of."
Suddenly, his horse materialized in front of him, comprised of smoke and wind. It went galloping by him, then dissolved into the air once again. The elf smiled.
The next day Aerinas left Lake Fenduin on the back of Wesnoc, and together they headed west toward the plains of Fornidain to find his father and Aeligon. He had much to tell them. Aboard Wesnoc, the lands of Vaalüna looked vastly different than Aerinas had ever imagined. They flew along, with Aerinas hoping that Aeligon had not had an ill turn of luck.
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Chapter 10—Gudred
Aeligon and the others trudged along through the squishy soil. Mernith had been the sight of many natural rain storms lately, even with the onset of winter. Warm fronts settled in now and again, to turn the lightly falling snow into a bitter, cold sleet. The ground was not cold enough to repel the rain, so it became very soggy. The horses had an even rougher time with it. One horse slid down an embankment when it gave way underneath him. Fortunately, no bones were broken. The forest floor made little sound since the rain saturated every crunchy thing. Leaves were flimsy and twigs soaked to the core.
Very little was uttered during the early stages of the trip, save for Pux, who always had something to say. Most everyone prepared their minds for what might lie ahead, and kept alert for any lurking danger.
"Hey, watch it,” Pux shouted as Aeligon stuck the staff into the cold mud. “I don't have shoes on like yours!"
"Mind your tongue, my wooden friend,” Aeligon retorted. “There are many fouler things abroad than cold mud on one's feet. We have not yet even crossed the threshold of danger, so save your complaints for that time."
Pux simply gave his master a smug look, and quieted his tongue. He knew it unwise to test Aeligon's patience when he was truly concentrating on matters.
Repeatedly, Aeligon's thoughts went back to the Grove of Souls in Mynandrias. The sight of the talisman he wore about his neck caused him to shiver in disbelief.
The Phantom Dawn ... he thought as the party quietly slogged through Mernith. His mind drifted often to the mirror fragment that he secretly held in his pocket. Those two artifacts together held more power than any other mortal man could wield without being consumed by evil. The mirror was the looking glass into the Nether. Phantom Dawn was a talisman that gave its wielder power over the Planes beyond the sight of any earthbound creature's eyes. That much Aeligon knew. What he did not know, and what his mind pondered greatly, was why the elfin spirits had bestowed this gift upon him. Humph, gift? he thought. This item may be another trick of evil for this unsuspecting wizard. He dared not think of the consequences of staring into the Nether again, or what wretched sights would befall his eyes.
"What's the matter, Aeligon?” asked Pux after a moment of staring at his silent master.
"Nothing, Pux. I am merely thinking of which way to turn so we do not lose our way.” He smiled at his apprentice, who simply nodded.
* * * *
Pux knew better. He had been studying with the Healer for many years. Aeligon was unaware of how many times Pux had taken to spying on his master from secret hiding places, watching and learning all he could. That was even before he was imprisoned in Aeligon's staff. Afterwards, he could more easily watch the mage, since he was always at his side. Pux knew when his teacher was distraught about something and, given the nature of that trip, knew that whatever he was brooding over was not pleasant. He decided to keep his quizzical tongue silent.
"Aeligon,” said Tristandor, breaking the stiff silence, “are we near the edge of this swamp?” Tristandor, out of practicality and chance of ruining them, had shed his elegant robes for light, elfish armor and a tunic. He had the look of a common elf warrior rather than the leader of the entire race of Krayn Elves.
"Yes,” answered Aeligon. “Beyond those tall trees, there.” He pointed west, where the line of trees started to thin as they stood tall to guard the border to Fornidain. The trees had their ways of protecting themselves, and a sinister border was one way.
Finally, the group emerged from Mernith onto the grassy fields of Fornidain. The misty fog had broken, bringing relief to them all. Before them rolled the vast open space of the plains. With the Farrin Mountains seeming very small on the distant horizon, the rolling flatlands spread out as far as the eye could see.
The exhausted party gazed over the plains in awe. Some of the elves had not laid eyes upon this ground at all. Some had not seen it for years, while others, like Aeligon, traveled upon it often. The lush grass grew tall and leaned over in unison as the winds blew along. Scattered rock formations sprang up randomly across the landscape. The day was crystal clear, typical of the crisp winter months. Elvish eyes could see long distances even in nastier weather, so it was easy to see the floating isle of Resforian scraping the horizon to the south. The city's white walls gleamed as the sun reflected off the surfaces.
Aeligo
n finally spoke aloud, “Our aim is not Resforian yet, for Haarath will be alerted to our approach long before we want him to know of it. We go northwest to Gudred, stronghold of King Hrathis. I have not been to see him in quite some time. My exploits have not granted me passage to his land. I feel that something has kept me from that land, where I now sense great sorrow."
Aeligon, clear of the sloppy ground of Mernith, mounted his horse, Rajan, and cantered off on the path to Gudred. The others followed suit and joined him. It would take many days to cross the wide dangerous plains.
Like a lone spark from a flame we are, Aeligon thought, while the long blades of grass brushed across his exposed feet and lower legs.
"We must take advantage of the rocks of this land,” Aeligon said, addressing the group as he turned in his saddle. “When darkness falls, it would be unwise for us to make camp in the open. Many creatures roam these open prairies that are far wilier than any of you.” He spun back around to face front. The elves looked at each other, but said nothing.
"We will follow your advice, Aeligon,” said Tristandor, nudging his horse along quicker to catch up to Aeligon's. He rode next to the wizard in silence for a long while.
* * * *
Aerinas had never been atop a roc. In fact, he had never been airborne before at all. He had heard of these legendary creatures. They graced the pages of the annals in the Library of Songs many times over. His father had even spoken of them every now and then when Aerinas was a child, fascinating him with the stories. The thought of it made him think of home, his lyre, and most of all, his mother. The wind's cool kiss on his face reminded him of her warm ones. He blinked as the vision faded.
"Where are we going?” asked Wesnoc, breaking the odd silence that had fallen between the new allies.
"West to Fornidain. We must find my father and Aeligon. They seek the wisdom of King Hrathis, though I believe they are walking into treacherous company there. Something speaks to me of it. We must find them and accompany them if at all possible."
Chronicles of the Planeswalkers Page 18