The Erlonan Tales

by D. L. Jordan

  SaRee leapt into Magola’s arms as she covered herself in a cloud and waved farewell to Dean. Dean stood still all the while, watching her leave.

  The Yailonian soldiers, the Rulers, and Dean all leapt joyously at Xanire’s defeat. “How did you find me, and what’s with the army?” Dean asked, regaining his thoughts

  away from Magola.

  “It’s a long story. We will explain later,” said Queen Anarkali. The Rulers congratulated Dean for what he had done.

  The light of the morning sun shined in through the tremendous hole the Yailonians had made. Dean felt a large hand being placed on his shoulder. He turned and saw the spirit of Pharaoh Amenhotep and kneeled.

  Amenhotep immediately assisted Dean to his feet and said, “As I said before Dean…you do not bow to me.”

  The pharaoh’s body was opaque instead of translucent as if it were a living, breathing human body. Everyone within the chamber smiled and gazed upon this miracle. Dean turned his head where Queen Lila was before and saw that her face was filled with tears of happiness. He looked upon Amenhotep’s face once more and saw that he was smiling and tearful as well.

  “My destined child,” Amenhotep began, “you have accomplished the impossible,

  relieved our world from a perilous fate, and freed my soul. Like your friend, I have chosen not to reside in The Undying Lands. Yet, I will remain here in Erlon until my true time has come. I knew you would accomplish great things. You have made it through a long journey…and here you stand.

  “Part of me helped you along the way through your training, but it was your strength and cunning that led you to success when you were in need. I am sure that I speak for all when I say that we are truly thankful for what you have done here today. I am most positive that you will make a fine ruler in my place someday.”

  Pharaoh Amenhotep then whispered into Dean’s ear saying, “If this great responsibility is not your choice, follow your heart. It is the greater guide over your mind. I will understand completely.” Amenhotep continued to stand as Dean thought about the idea of being one of the rulers of an entire civilization. Although he knew almost everything there was to know about Avesia, Dean still questioned himself.

  “You may announce your decision after our arrival in Yailon!” said Amenhotep.

  Dean smiled. Everyone in the chamber got upon the backs of their Tigrises and faced towards the sun to ride back to the city of Yailon.

  The battle that was fought in those mountains, in Avesia, was to be known as The Battle of the Mountains.

  A DESTINY FULFILLED

  Dean, the Rulers, and the remaining Yailonian soldiers landed in the long front garden entrance of The Marble Palace on the island of Avesia. Everyone including the Rulers rode on their Tigrises, past the front gates, and into the city even though it was nearly in ruins from Xanire’s return. Pharaoh Amenhotep stood and leaned on the wall of the side of the courtyard and looked out towards the Ice Waters. Dean could see Tekiao perform a backflip in the sea. He was about to join the others but decided to stay in order to join his ancestor, noticing that he was at peace.

  “It has been a long time since I have looked at these enchanting lands,” Amenhotep said as he looked throughout the grounds of The Marble Palace and the city of Yailon with the Ice Waters surrounding its borders. “I am just so happy to be here once more.” Dean looked throughout the metropolis and silently agreed.

  “I have chosen to remain on this island,” he continued.

  “That’s good isn’t it? That means you can pick up where you left off as a Ruler and take your place now that Madu is dead.”

  “I imagine so…but I cannot rule for long since I have passed into death. The time will soon come when you must take my place.”

  Dean looked down at the trail below them that led into the jungle while clutching his hands together and resting them on the edge of the wall. He believed that the Rulers were somehow forcing him to assist in ruling the island.

  “Before Madu passed away he told me that, when it was my time, I should rule well,” Dean said, fondly remembering Madu’s last words.

  “It is clear then that Madu knew that your arrival to this island would mean the end of his rule, something that was most dear to him above anyone or anything else. Yet, deep in his heart, he knew that the rightful order would have been restored and that you would rule well…even better than himself.”

  “What about Cacellon?” Dean asked with a slight hesitation. He still couldn’t get over his betrayal. The thought of Cacellon alone made Dean ill.

  “On the dealings of Cacellon, I can only say that I am very disappointed and shall speak no more of him out of my sadness. I want to talk about your new companion, Magola.” Dean shifted uncomfortably.

  “I just don’t understand why she chose to stay behind.”

  “As Magola said earlier, Dean, some things are better left unsaid. She has suffered many years of despair and is slowly dying through her grief. Over the long years in the mountains, she has been alone and loneliness hardens the heart, therefore she has developed a lack of trust in anyone other than herself.”

  There was a long pause between them before Dean spoke up and broke the silence.

  “She also told me that Xanire was her father.” Amenhotep looked at Dean and shook his head assuredly, confirming what he had just said.

  Dean looked at Amenhotep in surprise and thought of the adventure he and Magola spent searching for the scepter and how dangerous it had been. He settled his eyes back on Amenhotep, burning to ask another question.

  “She said that you made an attempt to protect her when her people tried to force her into the mountains. Is that true?”

  “Yes. There are some things that you don’t know about her, Dean. Magola was once a very happy girl. She was talented at whatever she did and was always special and unique.

  Magola has had her powers ever since she was small. You see, her mother classified them as a curse and tried to keep them secret. She discouraged Magola from using them, instead of accepting them as a gift and supporting her. One day, the people of the town had discovered her powers and tried to force her to leave. I heard the commotion coming from the town and saw her weeping on the ground. I tried to defend her, but she ran into the mountains. That was the last anyone had ever seen of her. Magola is a tortured soul, Dean. Do you remember when you encountered me for a third time in the mountains? You were about to retrieve the scepter from its place and I told you to continue to take care of your new friends.”

  “Yes,” Dean replied. Tears were forming in his eyes.

  “I meant what I said. I was very proud of the mercy you showed Cacellon in the chamber after he told you the details of his betrayal.”

  “Please, don’t be. I should have ripped him to shreds instead of giving him another chance.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have done that. You knew in your heart that Cacellon was not fully evil. There is good in everyone. You realized this when you saw the look of indecision on his face before Xanire shouted at him for listening to you. I regret in telling you that the next time you will see Cacellon, he will no longer have that little bit of good you saw in him. I think the mercy you showed him was magnificent. You see, Dean, your decision to bring Cacellon back to the good side represents a fantastic thing in you. You have demonstrated that we must love and care for others, even those who may not deserve it, such as Cacellon.”

  Dean looked at his hands as they rested on the top of the wall, proud of his actions and for Amenhotep’s wisdom. He never thought that so much recognition could come from such a small act of kindness and mercy. He twirled the lion pendant around his neck. Amenhotep looked at Dean as he twirled it and gave him a proud smile.

  “I’m very proud to see that your faith has brought you so far, Dean. It was because of your faith alone that you are here today. You may not know this, but Yailon itself was built entirely on the small amount of faith that the Rulers and I possessed. Now that it is a bustling city, I can
say that faith is a powerful thing. I hope that you always will remember that.”

  Dean could never forget something like that. From the way Amenhotep had spoken of faith, it seemed as if faith alone had been the one thing that kept him alive. And he was most certainly right. It was because of faith that Dean was here, despite his troubles during his seven years on Avesia.

  “You must promise me, Dean, that you will exemplify hope to all those who follow you.

  If you do this, you will be commemorated even after the end of your days.” Amenhotep then gave Dean a fatherly pat on the back.

  Dean looked up at Amenhotep with a smile and replied, “I promise. But there’s just one thing that bothers me. Earlier you said I encountered you for a third time. What did you mean by a third time?”

  “Do you remember the gray horse you and Magola saw in the mountains? Do you remember hearing the trotting of hooves and the neighing of a horse when you were on your way to your physical training with Clotilda and Berthold?”

  “Do you mean to say that was…?” Dean said, pointing his finger at him in disbelief.

  Amenhotep simply patted Dean on the back again with a mischievous smile followed by a wink and said, “We must be going now. We’re missing everything that’s going on in the city.”

  Amenhotep lifted himself from the wall, happily walked past the front gates, and entered the city. Dean later did the same.

  ****

  For the rest of that day, there was no celebration in Yailon. Pharaoh Amenhotep told the disappointed people that there would be no celebration of Xanire’s defeat due to the fact that it would show them that they were unaware of his possible return and their own potential destruction.

  As the sun was finally setting, the spirit of Amenhotep was the center of attention at a platform in front of the steps to the palace wall. He disclosed a most remarkable announcement.

  “For many years you have gone without my part of leadership in the circle of the Rulers.

  I am proud to say that your wait has finally ended.”

  The Yailonians began to cheer as fireworks whistled through the air for their returned king. “But I will not be reclaiming the Pulchran throne.” The cheering settled down, as if an already lit firework exploded in the air but soon reversed itself back into its launcher.

  “Due to recent events, Dean Sabulra, my heir and a great champion, has defeated Xanire, who has terrorized our peaceful metropolis ever since his first arrival here. That has been far too long and his days upon you have ceased. Dean has proven himself worthy of taking my place at the throne due to Madu’s untimely death.”

  Dean thought that the crowd would have been hoarse by now because the sound of their uproars and cheers nearly deafened his ears. He sat in a chair on the large platform, clasping the lion that hung around his neck in his hand and wondered what his family, the family he had known while living in New York, would say about him in this honorable position.

  “I have given him the opportunity of choosing his destiny and, on this magnificent day, he will announce his decision.” Amenhotep pulled away from the post and took his place beside Queen Lila as Dean came up to speak. He was nervous. His knees were trembling and his palms were sweating. Also, he was exhausted from his ordeal in the mountain. This was the first time he had ever spoken to an entire civilization, or to any crowd for that matter. Dean did not know the least of what to say. He continued to stand, pondering his decision while the large crowd stood anxiously.

  He looked at the Rulers as they stood and then to the onlooking crowd as he began to speak. “My fellow citizens of Yailon…” Dean said shakily.

  “Too long has it been since the circle of the Rulers has been incomplete. I must say that I have had a most memorable visit residing in your humble city for the first time. I have learned all about your marvelous civilization and its ways, but I must also say that…I must decline your offer to serve as a Ruler.”

  The Yailonians and the Rulers stared at him in surprise. Amenhotep walked towards Dean with a serious yet understanding expression. He then smiled and said, “For your defeat of Xanire and releasing me…I fully respect your decision.”

  The rest of the Rulers came up beside Amenhotep, smiling at Dean before bowing in front of him. Dean looked at them all with confusion and relief. He then turned around to the crowd and saw that they were also bowing. Row by row, people began to do this. Dean felt the warm winds of the setting sun blow over him and saw Tekiao, who was resting on the shores of the beach, bellow out an excited yell.

  ****

  That evening, many of the Yailonian people and all the servants and maids of the palace were gathered within the throne room to witness a marvelous event. Dean was being given a newfound honor.

  Pharaoh Amenhotep stepped up from his throne and presented Dean with a long and wide red wooden box. Dean opened the box and revealed a white garment and a crown bearing the small head of a cobra and a bird at the front like the one Amenhotep wore. Dean thanked the Rulers as he took the box.

  As Dean held the box, the clothes he already wore were somehow replaced with the clothes in the box. The crown he had seen was now placed upon his head. A luminous golden glow shined throughout Dean’s body like a star. The Rulers and everyone in the throne room gazed in awe at this miraculous sight.

  Amenhotep walked up to Dean with the elemental scepter of Pulchra laid out on both of his hands. Dean crouched to the floor and Amenhotep spoke “I, Amenhotep of the circle of the

  Rulers of Avesia, do hereby dub thee, Dean Richardson Sabulra, Crown Prince of Avesia until you are ready to uphold the responsibilities of being a Ruler in my place.”

  Amenhotep rested the scepter on Dean’s right shoulder and finally stood it upright in Dean’s right hand. When Dean was given this new title, he felt a small chill shiver up his spine. He was now going to be called Prince wherever he went. But in the back of his mind, he was still Dean-- the name he had worn during his first arrival to Avesia and when he lived in New York.

  With a bit of confidence, Dean slipped on the title like a new pair of gloves. He felt like a new person, as if he was a creature in a strange new world. A creature that was now able to look into the mirror and be identified as a hero in his own eyes.

  Dean was proud to stand there in the midst of the Rulers, Amenhotep, the servants and maids, and the Yailonian people. Dean thought to himself of Granddad, Timothy, and the rest of his family, imagining that they were standing in front of him with tearful and proud faces. Dean leaned his head back towards the ceiling, trying to hold back his tears as he thankfully clasped the lion that hung around his neck as he always did.

  “All hail Prince Dean!” shouted King Berthold.

  “Our hero!” shouted the crowd. The glow that shined over Dean’s body illuminated the palace, making it shine like a lighthouse from outside the island.

  ****

  For three more days, Dean stayed in The Marble Palace with the Rulers. The scepter remained within the palace in a glass showcase in a special room in the corridor that was opposite the throne room. Dean even once went by the memorial tomb that was on the palace grounds in honor of Cernan Remnan’s courageous act of facing Xanire even when he could not. It was accessible to Cernan’s family at all times.

  During those days, Dean often went inside the room and read the scepter’s history, which included both the times it was used against Xanire. He was honored to be a part of the history of such a legendary item. He continued to walk through the palace, enjoying the lavish life around him.

  Dean pondered on the idea of being far away from his home with the Sabulras for such an extended period of time and wondered if he’d been away for far too long. At that moment, as he soaked his feet in the pool of the long courtyard of the front gates, Dean made his decision.

  “I have decided to finally leave the palace temporarily,” he announced the following night at dinner. “I’m sure that my family and friends have missed me and would very much appreciate my ret
urn.” They all looked at Dean with complete understanding.

  “Take care of yourself, Dean,” said Emperor Yang as they gathered at the front doors of the palace after dinner. The sun was just about to set on the horizon, casting out a luminous orange glow. “We will be looking forward to your next visit, which I hope is very soon.”

  “Here, take the Tassidain with you.” said Empress Xian. “Just remember to concentrate on your destination.” Dean took the Tassidain gladly from her as she smiled, thanking her with a hug.

  The Rulers stepped back and King Salim came forward. He reached deep within his pockets and retrieved a triangular bar of packaged soap. He reached in his other pocket and pulled out a helmet that had what looked like a sensor on its top. Dean suspiciously looked at the soap and wondered why Salim was giving him this and thought of it as an insult.

  “This,” he began, “is a special kind of soap. It is an ancient Kosalan invention that is partially the secret of my country’s success. It is called the Tracker Bar. My father, a great

  general, created it. He ruled Kosala before my time and during my younger days. You accidentally used it one day in the bathroom of the entrance hall.”

  “Accidentally?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure that it’ll disappear in a few weeks.” “What is it?” Dean asked with a spark of confusion.

  “It is how we found you when you were against Xanire. Long ago in my country, we would give these bars of soap and these helmets to our enemies as gifts at our ‘surrender’. The soap mixed with water produces an invisible layer of skin that is called Tracker Hide. When our enemies would bathe in the rivers after a hard day of battle, the soap was put to its use and created the hide. When in battle the next day the sensors on our helmets would glow and beep if they were planning a surprise attack.”