by Lana Axe
Yiranor felt a chill at those words. Before him was an elf obsessed with power, not the young man he had nurtured. The fire in his eyes burned not only with magic, but also with desire. His mind was bent on a single goal, and he needed Yiranor’s help. “How could I refuse you?” he replied. “Follow me.”
He led his guest up the winding staircase to a room Telorithan had never seen. It was filled with rows of cabinets and wooden boxes of various sizes, all of them labeled with glowing runes. With a quiet giggle, Yiranor opened a small metal box, and a soft-blue glow illuminated his face. Peering inside, Telorithan beheld a large sapphire. Yiranor reached in and scooped the gem into his hand.
“I enchanted this myself centuries ago,” he said proudly. He turned the gem over in his hand, admiring it. “It is flawless and perfectly suited to your needs. You won’t find many sapphires of this quality.” He placed the gem in Telorithan’s hand. “This could soon hold the power of an elemental.”
Staring at the gem in his hand, Telorithan was enthralled. “This gem is capable of binding an essence?”
“It is,” Yiranor replied. “I know you’ve only worked with amethysts for soul binding, but an amethyst cannot contain an elemental. Ordinary elves and beasts can be contained in them, but for an elemental, you need higher-quality gems that match your target.”
“A sapphire for water,” he said, holding the gem up to the light. “Of course. It’s so simple I hadn’t thought of it.”
Yiranor smirked. “I’m happy to be of assistance.”
Carefully wrapping the sapphire in a cloth, Telorithan placed it in his pocket. “You have given me a great gift once more. When I have achieved my ultimate goal, your help will not be forgotten.”
“I wish you great success,” Yiranor replied. He no longer feared what Telorithan might become. Instead, he felt pride. An elf who had grown under his tutelage may someday possess the powers of a god. Perhaps he would bestow a reward upon the elf who had helped him along the way. If he were younger, Yiranor would love to accompany him on this mission. Though he would not be there to witness the event, he knew his student would succeed.
Chapter 23
“Let me at that witch!” Rudi shouted as he burst through a crowd of dwarves. His skin was flushed, and he was sweating. “I’ll make her take this curse off, or I’ll kill her with my bare hands!” he shouted. “She’s the only dwarf to go in that cave and come out healthy. That proves she’s the cause!” Immediately after uttering the words, he fell into a coughing fit. Doubling over and clutching his midsection, he continued to cough until he fell to the ground.
Lenora instinctively rushed to his side. None of the dwarves dared to move. She lifted his head from the ground, and he looked up into her pale eyes. Seeing only kindness, Rudi was nearly overcome with emotion. His anger vanished, and his coughing subsided.
“I will take you into the hospital,” Lenora said, helping him to his feet.
Rudi followed as if in a trance, entering the tent beside Lenora. She led him to an empty cot where he could rest. After removing his shoes, she brought a bowl of cool water and gently wiped the sweat from his face.
“You’re going to be all right,” she said, placing a cool cloth on his forehead. “You mustn’t believe that Kaiya has caused this. She is only trying to help.”
He nodded, unable to argue with the lovely elf maiden. Stirring a small amount of crushed herbs into a glass of water, Lenora pressed the cup to his lips. Within seconds, Rudi was asleep. Repeating the same procedure for the other ailing dwarves, Lenora ensured they would all rest comfortably. She could not break the magic that was causing their pain, but she could minimize their suffering.
She stepped out of the tent to speak with Kaiya. “You mustn’t pay heed to his accusations,” she said. “He’s delirious.”
“He’s always thought of me as a witch,” Kaiya replied with a shrug. “I doubt he will ever see me differently.”
Lenora did not reply, but the sadness in her eyes said more than words could express. Her heart was heavy for Kaiya, as well as the suffering dwarves. In her heart, Lenora knew that Kaiya would do anything to save her people. It pained her that the young woman was treated so badly.
“Can you cure this illness?” Galen asked.
Lenora shook her head. “I don’t have the skill to break the enchantment. All I can do is try to make them comfortable.”
“They must stop drinking water from inside the cave,” River said.
“Not only miners are affected,” Lenora replied. “Some of the afflicted dwarves are wives and children to the miners. They’ve never been inside the cave themselves.”
“Then it’s contagious,” Galen remarked, his eyes darting back and forth. “Do you think we can catch it?”
“I don’t know,” Lenora replied.
“We will find a cure,” River declared. “I believe I know who this spirit is.” He turned to Galen, “Do you remember tales of Nicodun?”
“Yes,” Galen said, nodding. “I read about him while I was working in the archives. He was one of the First Ones who lived in ancient times. His desire for power led him to commit acts of great evil. When his lover refused to assist him, he murdered her and bound her essence.”
“What happened to him?” Kaiya asked.
“He was banished by his kinsmen after he tried to force the Island Dwellers into servitude,” Galen replied.
“I believe the apparition inside is that of his lover Indal,” River said. “She was murdered here and bound to this place. The dwarves awakened her, and she has nothing left but hatred.”
“I think I’d be angry too,” Kaiya replied, looking at the cave. “How long has she been trapped?”
“If it’s Indal, it’s been several millennia since her death,” Galen said quietly.
The group remained silent for a moment, absorbing the tragedy of the situation. Indal’s anger was understandable, but she was punishing the wrong people. Someone had to stop her before the dwarves were wiped out.
“I will consult with the Spirit of the river in the morning,” River said.
“You’re leaving?” Lenora asked, surprised.
“No,” he replied. “This is the same water that flows into the Vale. I can communicate from here.”
“Do you think he knows how to help Indal?” Lenora wished medicine could cure a heart that was broken so long ago, but she knew any effort she made would fail. This was far beyond her skill.
“If there’s a way to help her, I believe the Spirit will know,” he replied.
“There is one thing I forgot to mention,” Galen cut in.
The others turned to look at him, wondering what he had left out.
“Nicodun was banished by the others using an ancient artifact. They required an enchanted opal to destroy him, and they may have destroyed it when they finished with him. There is no record of how it was made or what became of it. It might not be possible to make such an item again.”
“My people have great skill with gems and metals. Maybe Trin could craft whatever it is you need.” Kaiya sounded hopeful. She had no idea of the power of the First Ones.
“I’m afraid the knowledge of such crafts has long since disappeared,” River said. “It’s doubtful that anyone could create it.”
“Then we’ll have to find the original,” Kaiya declared.
Galen looked doubtful. “There may be nothing to find.”
Frustrated, Kaiya replied, “We have to try! We can’t stand around talking about how it’s hopeless. We have to do something!”
“We will,” River promised. “The Spirit will know what to do.”
Kaiya sighed. She watched as more dwarves made their way into the hospital tent, some of them barely able to walk. More of her kinsmen were falling ill, and she was powerless to stop it. Ancient magic or not, she wished she had the power to banish the entity herself. She felt sorry for Indal, but she was not justified in her vengeance on the dwarves. There was no excuse for her behavior, and
Kaiya would use any means necessary to stop her.
Lenora knelt to embrace Kaiya, who was on the verge of tears. “I will do everything I can for them,” she said. “I know you feel it’s your duty to save them, and I believe you will do just that. Don’t lose heart, my friend. You haven’t been defeated yet.”
Kaiya watched Lenora as she headed into the tent to treat the new arrivals. Waiting until morning may as well be a month. She was ready to act now, but she had no idea what to do. All she could do was hope that this Spirit would have an answer that would save her people.
Chapter 24
Evening descended over the mountains bringing a deep purple hue to the sky. Lenora had her hands full tending to sick dwarves, whose numbers continued to grow. Bron, the surgeon, had little skill with palliative care. His skills consisted mostly of amputating damaged limbs and administering alcohol to numb pain.
“You’re wasting your time with those herbs, Miss Elf,” he said quietly to Lenora. His dark eyes showed great sadness, and he was clearly exhausted. “There’s no hope for these poor souls.”
“We have to keep trying,” she responded. “Perhaps you should get some rest. You have grown weary, and I can handle things while you sleep.”
Trying to rub the heaviness from his eyelids, he said, “We’ve lost a patient.” Tossing his head, he motioned to the covered form of a dwarf lying on a cot.
Lenora’s heart sank seeing that the illness had claimed a second victim. She felt sorry for Indal’s plight, but taking the lives of these dwarves was unjustified. “River will be able to stop her,” she said. “I’m sure of it.”
“Let’s hope so,” Bron replied, his voice sounding less than hopeful. “I think I will take a rest now. Wake me when you’re ready for a break.” He headed over to an empty cot and immediately fell asleep.
Outside the tent, Anid and Gerry introduced themselves to River. The town council had taken a great interest in the elven visitors. A few considered them to be a nuisance, but most believed they had come with genuinely good intentions.
“I’ve heard good things about the lady elf that accompanied you,” Anid said. “She’s been quite a welcome presence in our hospital.”
“She is a skilled healer and will do what she can to comfort the ill,” River replied.
“Do you have any idea how to be rid of this evil spirit?” Gerry asked. “Will killing her end the curse?”
“I have no intention of killing her,” he replied, ruffling his brow. “She is no longer among the living as it is. My goal is to set her free, allowing her to cross over.”
“She deserves to be punished for what she’s done to us,” Gerry said, feeling no sympathy for Indal.
“For centuries she has lived in torment,” River explained. “Her energy is bound to this place. She is trapped, and she is angry.”
“That may be true, but she is killing our people. I think we should use any means necessary to be rid of her. I don’t care if she suffers further torment.”
“You may find compassion can overcome more obstacles than vengeance.” River’s words were sincere. He would not willingly inflict any more pain on Indal. The agony she had experienced over the years was far more than she deserved. His heart ached for the dwarves who were suffering and dying, but he would not add more suffering to this unfortunate affair.
“If we can set her free, that’s what we will do,” Kaiya declared. She did not agree with Gerry, and she hoped the situation could be resolved peacefully. Having sensed the spirit’s agony firsthand, she had no desire to cause her more harm. There had to be a way to remedy the situation, and Kaiya was determined to see it through, no matter the personal cost.
“Your party should join us for dinner tonight,” Anid said, attempting to lighten the mood. “It will be a good distraction for everyone.”
Kaiya looked at the ground, knowing that his invitation did not apply to her. Many dwarves would be present at the council house, and she would not be welcome among them. Too many of them still blamed her for the illness, and those who didn’t were still suspicious of her magic.
“You may attend as well,” Gerry said, noticing Kaiya’s withdrawn expression.
She looked up at him in surprise. “Very well,” she responded, her voice cracking slightly.
“We’d be delighted,” River said. He smiled warmly at Kaiya. “Let’s see if we can drag Galen away from Trin long enough to have something to eat.”
A few hours later, the elves sat down to dinner with Kaiya and the town council. Fourteen men made up the town’s governing body, most of them being of advanced age. The only women present besides Lenora and Kaiya were cooks and servers.
“Why are there no women among your government?” Lenora asked.
“Women are expected to marry and raise children,” Kaiya replied. “Then we help our husbands with their businesses and tend to our homes. That’s how it is, and no one ever steps up to change it.”
“Maybe someone should,” Lenora said, narrowing her eyes.
Kaiya glanced around at the councilmen. Lenora had not been quiet when speaking, and many of them had obviously heard her words. They looked uneasy, but did not express their opinions.
Galen sipped at the frothy brown ale in the large mug before him. “This is excellent,” he declared, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
Kaiya enjoyed the ale as well, and even River partook of the stout beverage. Only Lenora declined the drink, fearing it may dull her senses. She would need all of them to tend her patients the next day.
The councilmen raised their mugs and pounded their fists on the table as they lifted their voices in song. Conversation was kept light to distract the dinner guests from the plague affecting the town. They talked of the fine weather and how the elves had traveled into the mountains. Little was said of the evil presence lurking within the cave. Fear and worry were thrown aside briefly, allowing the dwarves to put their minds at ease.
* * * * *
Ryllak paced on the bank of the river near the waterfall, wondering if his son had found the dwarf village. Had River and his companions fallen ill as well? Had he faced the evil presence in the mountains? Ryllak could not stop his mind from worrying.
He waded into the water, hoping the Spirit could hear him. “Spirit,” he said. “I worry for my son’s safety. Can you take me to him?”
The roar of the waterfall was the only sound to be heard as Ryllak stood waist-deep in the water, hoping for a reply. Then, the water fell silent. To his surprise, the waterfall had ceased to flow. The staircase leading into the mountains had reappeared, presenting itself beneath the moonlight.
Looking into the water, Ryllak said, “Thank you, Spirit.” He hurried to the staircase and began to climb, his heart anxious to find his son. He climbed into the darkness, fearing not the night.
Chapter 25
River awoke before dawn, anxious to converse with the Spirit. He walked softly to avoid waking his companions as he exited the council house. A few miles north of the town was one of the streams that flowed into the Blue River below. It was summer in the mountains, and the water would be flowing quickly. River could sense its presence and found it easily, despite the darkness of the sky.
Stepping into the cold waters, River felt no chill. He was part of this stream, and he was at home here. Immersing himself to his waist, he cupped his hands to scoop the water and pour it over his head. A pale-orange light filled the sky as the sun awoke, ready to begin a new day. The Spirit came to River, its presence filling the water as the sun filled the sky.
River’s hope that the Spirit could provide the answers he sought was not in vain. The Spirit had existed for years beyond count, and knew of Nicodun and Indal. The artifact needed to free Indal from her binding had not been destroyed. It had been placed deep in the ocean where it could not be used for ill purpose. No elf, human, or dwarf could hope to reach it at its depths. Only a creature of the water could hope to retrieve it. Though saddened by this revelation, River knew
he would have to journey alone.
Slowly emerging from the water, River noticed a figure in the distance and knew instantly who had arrived. He lifted a hand in greeting to his father. “What brings you here?” he asked. “Is there trouble in the Vale?”
Ryllak shook his head. “No, nothing like that. I worried for you, that’s all.”
River seemed unbothered by his father’s sudden appearance. Though he was grown, he still appreciated his father’s concern. “I’m quite well, Father.”
“I see that,” Ryllak replied, feeling slightly embarrassed. “I suppose you didn’t need me, but I worried you may have fallen ill.” He wrung his hands, unsure of what to say next. It was difficult to accept that his son did not need his help anymore.
Sensing his father’s discomfort, River said, “I will always look for your guidance, Father.”
Ryllak patted his son on the back. “You must never be afraid to ask for it,” he said. “I know you have a great destiny ahead of you, but you must never be too proud to ask for help. If I have taught you anything, I hope I have taught you that you do have friends, and they are most willing to help you.” Finishing his speech, Ryllak felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. “As a father, it’s difficult to know you’ve given a child enough knowledge to go off into the world.” He laughed softly and shook his head.
“You’ve given me much over the years, Father,” River replied. “I am grateful to you.”
Ryllak smiled, and the two proceeded into the dwarven village. Quite a few citizens were already preparing for the day despite the early hour. The marketplace stalls were being stocked, and fresh baked goods were coming out of the oven, filling the air with an appetizing aroma.
“Oh great, another elf!” a dwarf exclaimed as the pair walked by. “We’ll be overrun soon!”