Eluan Falls: The Inheritors of the World

by Dane G. Kroll

  “They would have done away with the whole room entirely. I want the rest of it untouched. Can you do that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you.”

  In another part of the palace, Nikali and Cassandra walked arm and arm through the hallways. They were in the wing for the royal class. Dozens of people lived there at any one time. Only a handful of people were permanent residents, the Royal Council included. Nikali actually had a room there, but he had rarely used it. His own home in the Talons was plenty for him. He was not well-known enough with the guards in the royal wing and he did not want to create a commotion when he arrived.

  Cassandra was no stranger to the royal wing of the palace. She had spent many passionate nights with the royal class. Many of them knew her face and more, and all the guards welcomed her.

  With Cassandra at Nikali’s side he was able to get past the guarded entrances without any problems. She told them a story of how he was from Terran down south. He had come to seek refuge during all of the attacks. None of the guards questioned her. They let them pass.

  Once they were past all the guards, Nikali lead Cassandra the rest of the way. It had been years since he had been to the room, but he had a rough idea of where he was still going.

  “Are you sure this is the right way?” Cassandra asked him.

  “Almost sure,” said Nikali. “They don’t do too much remodeling in this area. It would disturb the residents.”

  “Really? I always wondered why they had such old décor.”

  “It’s a good enough reason as any.”

  A couple appeared at the end of the hallway. Nikali recognized them immediately. The man was a general in the army. He knew Nikali and his father. Quickly, Nikali dropped his hair down across his face. Cassandra pulled him in closer. She helped conceal his identity, letting it look like she was carrying him to his room.

  Once the general and his date disappeared, Nikali pushed his hair back. It bothered him when it was in his face.

  “I don’t understand. Why do you need to do this in secret?” Cassandra asked. “You have every right to be here.”

  “It’s not about actually being here. It’s about what I’m going to do next. This can’t get back to Heric or Abigail. They will not understand.”

  Nikali stopped at a door. It was covered with thick dust. The door had not been opened in months. Nikali was not surprised. After all, the room belonged to a dead man.

  Nikali believed Alexus had to have a stash of very potent Tamor Blood in the Capitol. It had to have been powerful stuff in order to do the doll-hold on the Emperor during the Night’s Flower festival. He knew it wasn’t going to be the avadon’s blood, but it probably came from Louson. The stuff was more potent than anything else in Eluan. He wanted it. He needed it.

  “Keep cover,” said Nikali. Then he pressed all his weight against the door. His hand pushed up against the handle.

  “This is your idea of breaking in?” Cassandra asked.

  “The locks in this area are not that effective. They never update things. All it takes is a bit of pressure against the lock. You can shove it out of the frame.”

  The door jerked forward with a loud pop. Nikali stood back in triumph. He casually walked into Alexus’ room without a further care.

  The main room was filled with books, papers, and mementoes from across Eluan. The only theme across the room was that Alexus had a lot of souvenirs.

  “Alexus lived here?” Cassandra asked.

  “He believed in chaotic order,” said Nikali. “He claimed there was a system to all this. I just think he ended up with too much stuff. He could rarely part with anything. Even when he traveled, he was satisfied to know he still had those things from his past. They just ended up everywhere after he gave his study to Abigail. It’s over there. Don’t bother with her room. His room is this way.”

  They crossed the cluttered room. The sun was setting. It would soon be too dark to look for anything. Nikali wanted to be gone by then. He didn’t want to light a torch. It would draw unwanted attention.

  Once they were in Alexus’ room the search began. They opened all his drawers. Papers went flying every which way. They sped through the room- looking for only one thing. After several minutes, the entire room was turned upside-down. There was no sign of Tamor Blood.

  “Damn it,” Nikali cursed. “I know he had to have something.”

  “Maybe he drank it all. If he was doing what you said, then he had to have his stash on him.”

  “No, he was disappearing at night in Louson. He was making a new batch while there.”

  “Maybe that was because he was out.”

  “No, he couldn’t have been carrying it with him. Nobody knew he was using arcan. It would have been too risky to bring any along for the trip, especially when he could make a new batch when he arrived.”

  “It’s not in here, Nikali.”

  “Then it’s probably in the front room.” Nikali raced out to the room they had first entered into. He began throwing stuff around, looking inside anything that was hollow. The desperation grew inside of him.

  Cassandra watched as Nikali jumped from one object to another. When he discovered something was empty, he dropped it to the ground and repeated the process.

  “Nikali, what has gotten into you?” she asked.

  Nikali did not stop. He continued desperately looking through objects as he spoke to her. “I am looking for a little bit of comfort. You have never been that deep in arcan. You would not understand. Everything is different. I see things differently. I feel different. I feel better, more powerful. I want that feeling back.”

  “You have to stop acting like this. You’re destroying his things.”

  “I don’t care. He tried to kill me. He tried to kill Heric. Alexus was not a good man. I will do what I want with his things,” Nikali shouted. He threw a vase against the wall. It shattered into hundreds of pieces and scattered to the floor.

  “You need to talk to Heric about this,” said Cassandra.

  “And tell him what? Our old teacher was conspiring against us? He was going to make Abigail Queen of Louson? He may have been trying to overthrow Eluan? I don’t know how Alexus was planning to accomplish all of this. Heric would not believe what I have heard or what I have seen. I have no proof. My proof died with Alexus. So excuse me, if I want the second best thing.”

  Nikali continued his rampage through Alexus’ stuff. He turned over the furniture. He busted open every object that rattled and even those that didn’t.

  “He will believe you. He is your cousin. He trusts you,” consoled Cassandra.

  “I don’t even trust what I’ve seen,” said Nikali. “How will Heric?”

  “What have you seen?”

  “I heard the voices of the gods. They called out to me from the canyon. Something was calling for me. They wanted me to go deeper.”

  “Is that what this is about? You’re hearing voices?”

  “I have to go deeper. I have to know.”

  Nikali broke down and collapsed to his knees. Tears rolled from his eyes. “I just want it to stop. When everything is red I don’t hear them.”

  Cassandra left him alone in his despair. She rustled around in another room. The sound of cabinets being opened and closed lasted for a minute. Then the sound of jars clinking together was heard. Cassandra returned with a number of bottles filled with the precious red liquid.

  “They were in the back of a cupboard, covered with some cloth,” she said. “His hiding place was his secret alone. No one would have come looking for his stash because they would not have suspected him. Stop being so paranoid.”

  “How did you...”

  “It’s where I keep mine,” she said. “Let’s go before somebody comes by.”

  Cassandra held out her hand to help Nikali up. He composed himself while Cassandra gathered the bottles into a crate that was still mostly intact from Nikali’s rampage. Then they left Alexus’ quarters together. Nikali latched the door
behind him. He figured it would be a while before somebody came around again.

  Chapter 42

  Dozens of messengers had arrived in the Capitol in the span of days. Each one had the same message. The avadons were at Myrus.

  The rumors spread quickly. Before the first night everybody in the Capitol had heard about the attack on Myrus. It lowered moral for everyone that night. It was only a matter of time before an exodus from Myrus happened. They would have to deal with even more people. The Capitol was not going to be able to handle those numbers.

  The Royal Council gathered together for an emergency meeting. Heric lead the group as his father was unable to get out of his bed.

  The Council members were talking amongst themselves. Only one seat remained empty. There had been no replacement for Alexus yet. The men were all anxious to hear any news from Myrus, or at least out from the north. None of their other messengers had returned yet. Many of the council felt confident that the avadons had all gathered at Myrus. While a tragedy for most, some men took it as a good sign.

  Heric quieted them down. He called the meeting to order.

  “Where is Emperor Caning?” asked General Kayl.

  “I will be representing my father today,” said Heric.

  “I want to hear from our Emperor, not his boy.”

  “I am the Heir Caning. I represent him. My father is ill. He will not be joining us today. I am not some mere boy. I have lead armies into battle, and I will be your Emperor. I am in command of this situation.”

  General Kayl shut his mouth. The others around him turned away. They did not want to be associated with him at this moment.

  Heric continued, “I need to hear suggestions. Word has come to us that the avadons have gathered at Myrus. The city is destroyed. It’s fires burn high into the sky. What can we do?”

  “We kill them all,” said Quaet, a friend of Heric’s father.

  “That is clearly on my agenda,” said Heric. “What about the people? There are thousands more now who are homeless because Myrus is destroyed. The Capitol cannot take them in- not anymore. We have only just now gotten a foothold on our current over-population problem in the Capitol city.”

  “We’ll just have to send them away,” said General Twell.

  “And where would they go?” Heric asked. “We can not turn a blind-eye to our people.”

  “But we can not help them,” said Twell. “You said so yourself.”

  “If I may,” said Paraf. “Myrus is a major city. While it does burn, it will not be easily destroyed. We can solve two problems with one solution.”

  “Alright,” said Heric. “What are you proposing?”

  “We take the fight directly to Myrus. We take back the city. We kill, or drive out the avadons. Whatever it takes to reclaim it. The structures will still be standing. I would bet anything on that. Once we are done with that. We will have eliminated the avadons, and we now have structures to house the homeless. We will have to rebuild of course, but familiarity may be a comfort to most of the inhabitants of Myrus.”

  “I like it,” said Heric. “We already have to fight the avadons. Let’s do it where it counts. The soldiers from Myrus will lead the way. They know their city. No one will fight harder for it. Myrus will be where we make our stand. We will not let Eluan fall to monsters from a strange land.”

  “We will need coordinators, and somebody to lead the campaign,” said Tanrill.

  “A man from Myrus should do it,” said General Kayl. “I would be more than willing to volunteer. I know my city better than most. We will have those avadons running before sunset.”

  “No,” said Heric.

  Kayl was taken aback. He had not expected such a stern disapproval of his suggestion. “Do you have somebody else in mind then?”

  “As a matter of fact I did,” said Heric. “It will be me. I am going to lead this campaign.”

  “You have already said you are representing your father. The Emperor must stay here and care for his people. We will lead the armies,” argued Kayl.

  “I have seen these things in action. I have killed many of them already. My expertise is invaluable out in the field. I am not going to send my soldiers without the best possible solutions. I will have people to take care of the Capitol.”

  “You are taking unnecessary risks, young man,” said Twell.

  “I know very well what I am getting into, but I can not just sit back and let other people do the fighting for me. These avadons are destroying my country. I will not allow that, and I will stop it myself.”

  Nobody could argue.

  “You are doing what?” Marina asked. She could not believe what she had just heard from Heric. Abigail was in the corner of the room listening. She remained silent, playing her role as confidant well. The meeting with the Royal Council was over, but Heric still had people to answer to.

  “I’m leaving the Capitol. I’m going to lead the army to fight off the avadons.”

  “There are other men who can do that. You are the Emperor of Eluan. You do not have to lift a finger.”

  “I am not the Emperor- not yet. And that does not mean that I do not lift a finger. I am their leader. I have to lead by example.”

  “I don’t want you to go,” said Marina. “What if something happens to you? What will happen then? Who will lead your people?”

  “That is a risk that I take every day. It’s not something new because I’ll be on the battlefield.”

  “What about me?”

  “You will stay here,” said Heric. “You will be taken care of at the palace. Nothing is changing.”

  Marina wrapped her arms around Heric. She held him close, whispering into his ear.

  “I’m scared. I’m afraid of losing you. Then I will be lost. You’ve given me a second chance at a fulfilling life. I can not lose that. Not now.”

  While Marina held him close, Heric locked eyes with Abigail. She was tearing up, but refused to let go of a drop.

  “You’re not going to lose me,” said Heric. He never took his eyes off of Abigail. “I’m going to come back. Then we’ll be married. We’ll lead the Empire into a bright new future. This day will be remembered as the start of a renaissance for Eluan. People have been taken from their homes. Cities have been destroyed. But we will endure. Eluan will be closer than ever. There is nothing that we cannot get through. It will just take time, and all the strength we have.”

  Abigail mouthed the words, “I love you.” Heric did the same. Marina continued to cry in Heric’s arms.

  Chapter 43

  For the first time in weeks, the streets of Eluan were clear. It wasn’t a relief: It was the calm before the storm. Word had spread quickly about the plan to take back Myrus. Messengers had been sent out across the Eluan Empire to gather their soldiers. While in the Capitol, the recruitment of additional soldiers was greater than ever before.

  Men, some barely strong enough to still hold a sword, and some too young to know how to properly use it, all wanted to enroll. They were from the shelters in the Capitol. There would be money for them when they returned, and a chance to avenge their lost livelihoods.

  There was still no word on where the remaining people of Myrus were taking refuge. The main roads connecting the two cities were nearly empty. There was a fear that nobody had survived the attack, but it was never said out loud.

  Heric was busier than ever. He had to ensure his men would be ready by the time they got to Myrus. He and Forman had shown the other generals the fighting techniques they had learned in Louson. They understood the basics of it. All the men were training from dawn until dusk. Kastor and Tyeche helped out in this respect.

  They observed everyone’s movements, correcting when needed. Abigail had to join them the second day because they needed a translator. It was slow going when the two Louson soldiers would simply hit a trainer in an incorrect move, and then try to explain the action in an unfamiliar language.

  Heric had one last piece of business to take care of before he
and his men left for Myrus. It meant a trip all the way down in the Talons.

  He was dressed-down for the occasion. He did not want any undue attention for being the Heir Caning. The streets were just as full as ever. People were lying across the streets, some asleep, some in pain, some just relaxing. He passed many arcan shows as he walked through this section of the city. If it was another day, he would have stopped and watched one or two of them, but this was a day for being in a hurry. There was still much to do.

  He arrived at the place his scouts had told him about. Heric had never been there before, but he had heard about it over the years. There was just never any reason to come over until now.

  He knocked on the door several times. After no reply, he knocked again.

  “Go away. We’re busy,” was yelled from the inside.

  “We need to talk,” ordered Heric.

  There was a rustling behind the door. Heric could hear footsteps shuffling around on the floor. Finally the door opened. Nikali had an over-exaggerated smile deliberately plastered on his face clearly meant to dispel any good cheer.

  “I’m really busy, Heric,” he said.

  “So am I. That doesn’t mean we can’t talk for a minute.” Heric showed himself through the door. He pushed Nikali aside. Nikali closed the door behind them.

  “Please have a seat,” he told his cousin. “Would you like a drink?”

  “No, thank you,” said Heric. He sat down at the table. Nikali poured himself a drink, and sat down next to him. The fury arck was in the corner. Its eyes glared at Heric. Every few minutes it would lick its teeth and sniff the air.

  “I’m not going,” said Nikali.

  “I need your help, Nikali,” said Heric. “We’re going after the avadons. I could use you.”

  “I’m not a soldier,” he said. “I have things here I need to take care of.”

  “You have killed more avadons than anybody,” said Heric. “We need every bit of help we can get.”

  “I have every bit of faith that you’ll be able to defeat them.”

  “What is wrong with you? I am asking for your help.”