by James Somers
The house, unable to contain the conflagration, exploded, scattering boards and bricks in every direction. Adolf was thrown to the lawn fifty yards away. He pulled himself up from the ground, cautiously surveying the wreckage for any signs of the men who had come with Alois to kill him. No one appeared to be moving. Either they were unconscious, or they had died in the explosion.
Adolf stood watching the fire burn. His mother was gone—the only person he could count upon. He knew that he could call out to Lucifer, but the angel had not always replied. At any rate, he didn’t feel like doing so now. Lucifer had been the one to send them to this place. That had been a mistake.
He could not wait much longer. Braunau’s citizens were already beginning to leave their homes to investigate the explosion and the fire. Adolf rose into the air, defying gravity as easily as his mother’s ancestors.
He flew higher, leaving Braunau behind. There were places that he could go—places where other Descendants lived in great numbers. Surely that would be better than trying to live among humans. It was only a matter of making his own choice. He knew exactly where to go—a place where Descendants of all kinds were making a new life in the Emerald Isle.
Treaty
Brody opened the door to find Donatus and Laish standing on the other side. Nearly seven months living in Ireland now, found many of the Descendants dwelling in a newly established village called Highmore. The castle at Highmore had become the dwelling place to the royal families and leaders of the various clans who had come to Ireland in order to make their home.
“Donatus, Laish,” Brody said, “please come in. I wasn’t expecting you today.”
“Forgive us,” Donatus said. “This was an unplanned visit. However, we felt we had to discuss a matter of some importance with you.”
Brody stepped aside, allowing the elf men to enter his family’s chambers. Rugs had been laid down, covering the cold stones of the floor. As yet, Brody had not gotten around to renovating their rooms magically as many other Descendants had in Highmore.
Over the course of the last few months, throughout the village, spell casters had found their talents greatly sought after. As Descendants had completed their homes in basic structure on the outside, they had gone to fashioning them after their former dwellings on the inside. Many of the elves had spell cast the inside of wooden town homes to look exactly like Xandrea on the inside, creating stark contrast.
Highmore had the appearance of countryside quaintness viewed from afar, but inside its hundreds of dwellings the old cities of the Descendant races lived again. Even the matter of space had been changed magically in many cases. A family cottage that might appear to have five rooms, at most, would reveal a palace on the inside—all through crafty spell casting and dimensional warping—creating spaces within spaces.
Sophia and Sadie, followed by Cole, emerged from a side room. “Donatus, Laish,” she said, addressing them. “How are you?” She appeared quizzical, but not to the point of bluntness.
“We have a matter to discuss, Sophia,” Donatus offered. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Is it a private matter?” she asked, glancing at Brody.
Donatus glanced at Laish. “Actually, no,” he said. “Please join us.”
Sadie and Cole perked up at this. It was not often that they were included in grown up discussions. “Us too?” Sadie offered.
Donatus sighed, looking at his grandson, Cole. The boy eyed him hopefully, but said nothing. “Why not?” Donatus concluded. “After all, this is something that all Descendants should consider.”
“Now, I am curious,” Brody said, smiling. “How about the dining room?”
Sophia and the children led the way, everyone feeling somewhat uncertain about either what this meeting was in regard to, or how the outcome would be. Coming into the dining room, the children took up stations on the far side of a large circular mahogany table that dominated the middle of the room. Ancient tapestries, representing images from the castle’s earlier days hung upon the walls—the old patrons of Highmore watching the proceedings from majestic stallions and vibrant vistas faded by the passage of time.
The furnishings were simple, not much more than what they had been during centuries gone by. Laish looked the room over. “Reminds me of home,” he commented, crossing the cold stones to the table.
“Thanks, Laish,” Brody replied.
“I meant my old cabin in the woods,” Laish added. “Why haven’t you done more with the place, my boy? A Superomancer of your caliber could have had this looking like the palace at Tidus by now.”
Brody blushed. “Well, we’ve all been so busy,” he offered.
“It’s been seven months, son,” Laish said shaking his head. “No use roughing it for the sake of propriety.”
“I’m sure we’ll do something with it eventually,” Brody said, taking a seat at the table next to Sophia. “Now, what’s this all about?”
Donatus and Laish glanced at one another uncertainly. Brody could see that it must be something unpleasant. “We’re all friends here,” he said. “You can speak frankly.”
The children grew keenly interested now. All ears were on Donatus as he began to speak.
“Well, Brody, when we first arrived from Britain and experienced that unpleasantness with the Shade King, you took on the leadership role in the matter and confronted the man, forcing him to back down.”
“Yes,” Brody said, nodding. “I felt that we were threatened.
“And I agree,” Donatus continued. “However, we’ve now been in Ireland for seven months, and many feel that the time has come for our standoff with the Leprechauns to end.”
Brody smiled wanly. “That’s all well and good,” he said, “but what makes you think that the Shade King wants to make peace with us?”
“I’ve already spoken with him,” Donatus replied.
“We’ve spoken with him,” Laish added.
Brody glanced at his wife then back to the elder brothers. “I see.”
“People are talking, Brody,” Laish said. “They don’t want to be confined here in Highmore, when the possibility of peace remains within reach. We could prosper here, but not without an alliance with the Leprechauns. The Shade King assures us that he and his people are ready for such a concord with us.”
“Then why ask me?” Brody said, feeling a bit maligned. “It appears you’ve already made your considerations and come to a decision.”
“Firstly,” Donatus said, “you are our friend, Brody. Your family is very dear to us. We have no desire to offend any of you. It’s only that we feel that the needs of all our people demand a political solution to a problem that could escalate beyond what happened in the Shade King’s throne room.”
“I understand,” Brody said, respectfully.
“Secondly,” Donatus continued, “because of that same incident months ago, the Shade King has demanded that you not be involved in the negotiations for this treaty among our peoples. He has not said so directly, but I’m quite certain that he still feels threatened. There’s certainly also a matter of pride before his subjects to consider. And I think we must be ready to make some concessions if we’re going to make this work.”
“We’re not saying you did the wrong thing,” Laish added. “But we now have to do what’s right in the long term.”
Brody nodded, remaining silent for a moment before speaking. “Am I and my family to be ostracized then in order to placate the Shade King?”
“We wouldn’t allow that to happen,” Laish said.
“Quite right,” Donatus added. “Any agreement must allow for you and your family to also be included with the rest of our citizens. But the matter of your involvement in the process will have to remain nullified.”
Brody considered the matter for a moment. “Perhaps, I should simply offer my apologies to Brian Shade. Would that make things better?”
“No,” Sophia interjected. “I realize that you both might not agree with how Brody handled that particu
lar situation, but I don’t think you should underestimate what he accomplished there in that throne room either.”
“I’m not sure I follow,” Donatus replied.
“He made us a threat,” Sophia answered. “I can understand your desire to make peace, and there are great benefits to enjoy. But make no mistake. Brian Shade is not the kind of king who makes peace for the good of his people. His kind only makes peace to be sure his life is not in danger every minute of the day. That is what Brody has given you, gentlemen: bargaining power through fear.”
Laish smiled, shaking his finger. “She has a point, brother,” he said. “Brody is the loose cannon that must be contained. If Shade doesn’t make concessions of his own then who knows what this young upstart might do to him.” He grinned at Donatus. “I like it.”
Donatus smiled at them all. “I would have to agree,” he said. “An apology would be, in this case, counterproductive. We’ll be sure to keep your previous threat in his mind, if he attempts to take advantage of the situation.”
Brody gave Sophia a side glance, letting her know with his expression that he was glad she had spoke on his behalf. A seemingly depressing situation had just been turned around. Still, he wouldn’t be able to be a part of the negotiations. But, at least, Donatus and Laish wouldn’t be holding him out to the people as the cause of their woe.
Donatus stood. “Again, Brody, Sophia, you are all very dear to us.” Laish nodded his agreement. “I’ll keep you informed of our progress. Lord willing everything will work out fine, and we’ll be able to integrate successfully into society here.”
He turned his attention to Cole at this point. “My boy, how would you like to see the Leprechaun city of Rockunder?”
Cole perked up immediately. “I would like that very much,” he replied.
“Good,” Donatus said as Laish stood from the table. “One of the king’s aids is supposed to meet us to provide an escort. Following a brief tour, we are to report to the Shade King with our intentions to negotiate.”
Donatus glanced at his brother and then back to Cole. “I think this will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about politics,” he said. “The king generally has his son present, and he’s about your age. You should be there also.”
Cole nodded with a smile to his grandfather. “Is it all right if Sadie comes along?” he asked, looking to Brody and Sophia as well.
Brody nodded to Donatus before he replied.
“Why not,” Donatus said. “After all, you are a princess, young lady. A good opportunity for you also.”
The children eagerly stood from the table, leaving Brody and Sophia as they followed Donatus and Laish out of the room. Brody and Sophia followed them, seeing them out and closing the door after them.
Alone now, they looked at one another thoughtfully. Brody sighed heavily, and Sophia embraced him. “It’s going to be fine,” she said. “They really did not want to offend.”
“I’m fine,” Brody said. “And I can see their point on this.”
Sophia smiled. “That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong,” she replied. “Brian Shade’s reputation precedes him. He would have used his army to force us out of Ireland had you given him the chance. I care very much for Donatus and Laish, but you were the one that did what was necessary to protect our people and our right to be here.”
“I suppose so,” Brody answered.
“Don’t suppose so,” she said. “Know so. If you hadn’t forced the Shade King to back down, we certainly wouldn’t be standing here right now. There would be no village at Highmore, and our clans would still be looking for a place to settle down.”
Brody smiled. “How is it that you always know just what to say?” he asked.
“Because I’m your wife and I love you,” she answered and then kissed him.
Rockunder
The conversation between my grandfather and great uncle was only the latest in a series of interesting events to come about over the past couple of months here in Ireland. I was glad to see that the matter of a peace agreement wasn’t offensive to Sadie’s father and mother. For a moment, the tension in the room had been palpable. But I felt like everything was fine between all parties once they concluded.
Sadie strode beside me as we followed my grandfather and great uncle through the rapidly expanding town of Highmore. Simple town homes had been constructed quickly with minimal ornamentation all across the valley. Very few of the buildings in Highmore actually looked different from the mass of uniformity that was our new town.
However, because of the wide use of magic involved, almost none of the family dwellings appeared the same on the inside. I had been inside many of them, particularly those homes where my grandfather, or uncle, was doing spell casting. Their talents, as well as other that of other spell casters, were in demand among non-magic users.
So far, I had seen dwellings ranging anywhere from modest manor homes with three levels and numerous, spacious rooms all the way to palaces fit for kings with gardens and pools of water. On the outside, I had been amazed by how small they were. On the inside, I did well to find my way back to the front doors.
Walking through Highmore, we came to a fountain which had been constructed of uncut river stones. In the center of a giant ring grew a tree with branches shooting in a multitude of directions. The water from the fountain came up through the branches, releasing over the leaves to fall back into the fountain pool.
A large group of children played upon the branches and scurried through the water in the pool, enjoying the rain effect that was created. Sadie smiled. The children laughed and frolicked with one another without a moment’s thought to the kind of problems we Descendants faced in this land.
I couldn’t help but notice that they had no experience with the problems I was privy to, and I had very little experience with the kind of carefree play they were enjoying. I had grown up as a prince among the kingdom of the vampires. There had always been few children in Greystone. Those I knew of had not been around to play with me. Perhaps because I was a prince. Perhaps because vampires train early—that was our play—hunting, fighting, learning the ways of stealth.
My only real playmate and friend had been Sadie. She was royalty also. I guess it just made sense to our parents who had always been friends. But it left us apart from others.
I was still considering if we were missing out on something when our Leprechaun escort appeared beside us.
“Master Donatus? Master Laish?” He asked.
“Yes,” they replied. “You are our escort into Rockunder?”
“Yes,” he said. “My name is Connic, the Shade King’s Chief Advisor. I’ve been instructed to escort you to our fair city and then to the king himself.”
Connic looked to Sadie and me and then back to my grandfather. “Will the children be accompanying us also, Master Donatus?”
“Yes, they will,” he replied. “Connic, this is my grandson, Cole, and Princess Sadie, heir to the Lycan throne.”
Connic smiled approvingly. “Very good, sir.”
By the time Connic completed his reply, we were no longer standing in Highmore. We had, all of us, been transported underground. However, this was no mere cavern where we found ourselves. A city of gigantic size lay before us on all sides. Like a diamond mine exposed to the sun, a million points of light shone upon us, dazzling our eyes with Rockunder’s splendor.
I had lived underground all my life in our city at Greystone, but I had never seen anything like this. Where Greystone had been a labyrinthine complex of rooms and tunnels beneath the frozen tundra, Rockunder consisted of a massive cylindrical tunnel. All of its buildings and streets were constructed upon the inner walls.
And the city wasn’t only built upon the lower curve. It defied gravity, taking up space all the way around. I watched with astonishment as people milled about on the streets directly opposite on the roof of the cavern, as though they were under no gravitational constraints at all. My only reference was a temple that Oli
ver James had specially constructed in Tidus in honor of Sadie’s late grandfather, Lycean.
“What do you think of our city, children?” Connic asked, grinning.
“Amazing,” was all I could manage, turning my gaze every which way to capture the wonder of it.
“How are they able to walk upon the roof of the cavern?” Sadie asked, pointing up.
“Technically,” Connic said, “we are standing on the ceiling of the Rockunder cavern.”
We stood there in awe, trying to perceive how it could be so, but I found it impossible to discern the difference. As a vampire warrior, I was well versed in the art of concealment, often crawling upon the ceilings of buildings and tunnels in order to escape notice. But always there was the tell-tale pull of gravity letting me know which way was up. However, in Rockunder, every place felt like we were standing on the ground.
“Where is the palace located?” Laish asked.
Connic pointed toward one end of the tunnel. “The royal palace of the Shade King,” he said.
Looking in the direction Connic indicated, we immediately noticed a golden palace. It almost seemed like a small city in of itself, extending completely around the cavern in a golden ring that contrasted noticeably with the rest of Rockunder. Where the other buildings were merely gilded, the royal palace appeared to be made almost entirely of gold, shining brightly due to some kind of inner luminescence.
“We could go directly, or take the scenic route,” Connic said.
Donatus looked at the rest of us. Our opinions were clearly written in our awe-inspired expressions. “I suppose the scenic route would be best,” he replied with a wry grin.
I cannot say by what means, but a shift took place then. Connic was clearly in control. We were now standing in a different place in the city. We had teleported, certainly, but I was unfamiliar with the portal construct which had been employed.