After the teams had been selected, the game of Drith’el’linic began. The rules were simple, to advance the Dra'nock beyond the end goal line of the opposing team. Most things in Elf culture were structured and deliberate, which is probably why nearly every game created by its youth was very much the opposite. Throwing, kicking, rolling of the Dra'nock were all permitted and done so in all directions. Running, walking, tackling, blocking were the physical constraints for one's body, however, any and every other interpretation of physicality were likewise acceptable. The only rule was that if your movement was halted, even for the briefest of moments, the person in possession of the Dra'nock was required to relinquish control to the opposing side. The game was meant to be a release of the youthful, chaotic energies often times held in strict check by the doctrines of the Elven culture. But instead, on this day, it was used as an educational tool. Its only student was Eriboth, and its lesson was physical domination.
The game began innocuously enough with Eriboth seeing limited action as his team surged forward in the score carried in large part by Tlinel, who, without the balancing presence of Prince Rendunial, was without a physical equal. Eriboth asserted himself into the defensive position shadowing the other team's most proficient participant. Eriboth was faster and quicker in the open, but was much smaller and physically outmatched. Nevertheless, he insisted on his current self-assignment in defiance of Tlinel's instructions. On a return play to even the score, Eriboth was put to the test as his shadow received the Dra'nock and began running with vengeance. Eriboth quickly closed the gap and launched himself at the torso of the elder boy. But the boy, who was very experienced in the game, was prepared for the hit and delivered a particularly devastating shoulder into Eri's exposed mid-section landing him breathlessly on his back. The only thing Eri could do was watch as his shadow passed the end line and evened the score.
On the returned effort by Eri's team, Tlinel was not an option as he had drawn three shadows rendering passing him the Dra'nock obsolete. The other boys were being very closely guarded as well, leaving Eri and another boy uncovered and open as the only two options to advance. Eri had yet to be considered a viable option to progress and score. And he knew he would continue to be excluded unless he forced the issue. Still slightly stunned and possibly not thinking clearly, he intercepted the thrown Dra'nock that was intended for his fellow teammate and ran as fast as he could toward the opposite end line. There was nothing in front of him except open space, and the chance to finally prove himself worthy of consideration. So focused was he upon the finality of his hope to become a full member of the elven youth, that he did not see that two of the boys previously guarding Tlinel were doing so as a ruse hoping to lure an errant pass to one of the inferior threats. As such, they were prepared to pursue either of the two who received the pass. And pursue they did. When he was only a few spans of his height away from the end line, he was mercilessly intercepted by the unified tackle of his two unknown pursuers. They rocked him, and the ball came free. Left dulled and stilled, his opponents picked up the Dra'nock and kicked it the length of the field to the boy Eriboth was responsible for guarding. He easily crossed the end line and pulled their team’s score into the lead.
The subsequent continuation of play saw Eriboth being given the Dra'nock each and every opportunity by Tlinel against the protests of his team. "There is a larger lesson that needs to be learned here," he forcefully yet quietly spoke when Eriboth was out of ear shot. Each time Eri was left to his own abilities and each time it ended with him on his back, breathless. After one particularly vicious tackle that left Eriboth with a bloodied nose, he stood up ran head first into Tlinel and knocked him down.
"Why will you not help me? Are we not on the same team?" Eri yelled at the fallen Tlinel.
Tlinel remained silent as he slowly returned to his feet. Eriboth shoved him again in the chest, but this time, although Tlinel stumbled backward, he maintained his footing. "You walk a dangerous line, little man. Your brother is not here to ensure your safety," spoke Tlinel dangerously soft.
"I do not need my bother for protection! I am Eriboth; Equal to the Prince in heritage and ability. And you will apologize!" he said defiantly standing nose to nose with the larger boy.
"Is that so?" chucked Tlinel. "You are right, I do owe an apology, but not to you. I owe my team an apology for allowing you to engage with us." He deliberately turned, held his arms out in a surrendering posture and spoke to the collected mass of Elven boys, "My fellow Elves, I owe you all an apology for thinking this man could ever match us in anything. I bid you forgive me," he turned to look at Eriboth directly in his eyes as he finished, "it will never happen again!"
Hearing the mocking of his status and participation carried by the outright insult to his inferiority, Eriboth lost what little control he had and charged Tlinel. But the older by was prepared and side-stepped. As he did, he spanked Eri on his thurun causing him to fall to the ground. Again Eri stood up. Seeing Tlinel laughing and actively encouraging the others to laugh along with him, Eri attacked again, and ended up in the same position. He remained down on the ground, his back exposed to the sky. Groggily, he attempted to rise, but could not. Walking over to him, the chuckling Tlinel reached his hand out, "Does the little pretend prince need a hand to rise?"
Eriboth spun around and slapped the outstretched hand away momentarily stunning Tlinel. Then he continued with the momentum of his spin and landed a foot to the mid-section of the older boy sending him stumbling backward. Eriboth rose, "It does not appear this little prince needs your help after all."
Gaining his countenance, Tlinel started to stride powerfully and purposely toward Eriboth to answer the obvious challenge. Having several years over Eriboth, with both the added training and size along with it, the endeavor currently set in motion would not have ended well for the younger boy, already bloodied by the game. But instead of run, he faced his impending beating with squared feet and squared shoulders. He may bleed, he may be bruised, and he may lose all sense of pride at the hands of Tlinel, but he would not back down. He would stand his ground, even if it meant landing upon it.
"Tlinel!" came a strong and confident voice, "How goes the game this day?"
Interrupting the silence of the eminent fight, the voice drew all attention causing all heads to turn in unison, including Eriboth's and Tlinel's. "Prince Rend," said Tlinel apprehensively, "I thought you would not be fortunate enough to join us."
As he continued walking with his small entourage of nobles, Prince Rend walked right up to Tlinel and greeted him with the customary elvish courtesy, seemingly oblivious to the previous scene. "Nor had I, in truth, but my studies in war have been momentarily postponed by Master Venerin." Turning to Eriboth, he continued, "And how is my little brother doing today? By the looks of him, he has learned a difficult lesson about how to properly protect the Dra'nock."
Eriboth was going to respond, but the Prince silently held his words in check by the same glance he would give him when they were sure to be punished by their mother for causing some sort of trouble by deliberately disobeying her instructions. It was Tlinel who spoke instead, "Yes, his lesson was a difficult one today, but I am sure he learned it. As Master Venerin teaches us 'Each lesson, if not learned on the first attempt, will become more forceful in its subsequent education.'"
"That is good to hear, Tlinel. I would much prefer to be here under different circumstances, but I have come to fetch my younger brother. He has become so involved with the game that he is late for our Star Ritual. By your leave Tlinel?"
"Certainly Prince Rend. And might I offer that I was most thankful to have participated in the instruction of young Eri. He proved to be a good student."
As Prince Rend smiled, both he and Eriboth turned and began walking back toward the castle grounds. "You know, your efforts to be included are going to wind you up in the continual care of Master Dundalas," he said through a chuckle.
Walking a few paces in silence, Er
iboth slowly dropped his head as he spoke, "I just want to be an Elf."
"Well you are not an Elf. And why do you want to be like them? They think they are better than everyone else and would probably treat me the same way if I was not The Prince and Heir to the throne."
"I do not want to be like them, Rend. I want to be like you."
His vision quickly faded from the two of them walking toward the Starlit Castle where they would engage in their evening Star Rituals together to a single boy standing alone in the familiar clearing. He knew what was coming next. He remembered more than heard the silent words the young boy spoke years and years ago as he repeated the question Master Venerin had posed, "What do you have against The Prince?"
"Nothing, except I want to be him." Looking down upon himself, he saw the seeds of jealousy begin to bloom. Yet still small, their progression of growth had been firmly rooted in place and was now being watered by his own youthful perceptions. Rend, being the King's son and only Heir was entitled to the most and best of everything, and although Eri had never gone without, he was always given slightly less than his older brother. The bows slightly more shallow, the attention slightly shorter, and the praise slightly less, when coupled with his brother's superior skill at battle and the arts, equated to the beginning revelation that Rend was, and would always be, superior.
Seeing the emotions and mental progression of his young self, Eriboth wished to float down and speak to him, yet he knew what he was seeing was not an active moment, but a memory made flesh and blood. And as a memory, he was unable to alter it. He could do nothing but float and watch as he saw the beginnings of his undoing. When the young boy had finally stopped his tears, he stood up, unsheathed his sword and began relentlessly progressing through the ancient elvish sword poses of the more rudimentary Star Rituals.
However much Eriboth desired to stay and embrace the boy in front of him, the progression turned him skyward pulling him with an equaled acceleration ending in the white dissolving light for a second time. But unlike the initial uncertainty of witnessing his first memory, this time when the white light faded, he had no misgivings about what or whom he saw. As he floated just out of reach of another past version of himself, he saw Zamorinthia Endinudon standing in front of him. "Good day, Eriboth. How fare you on this pleasant morning?"
Every time she spoke to him, his heart rate increased and he became heated under his clothing. He had observed her for several years, but had never seen her look as beautiful as she did today. Being the daughter of the Lord of House Endinudon, Zamorinthia had on many, many occasions in the past, crossed paths with Eriboth. Because their families were linked previously in marriage, there existed a bond between them that saw them enjoy the same formal educational classes in Elvish history and etiquette. They had grown up together spending equal amounts of time in both play and study. Prior to a couple of years ago, however, Eriboth's affections for her were limited to the playful and juvenile flirtations of two only beginning to discover the deeper attractions to the complimenting genders.
Between his increasing heartbeat and now sweating body, he stammered briefly, but soon collected himself and replied to her inquisition, "Yes, My Lady Endinudon, it is a good day. And how could I not fare well on the morning of the Prince's coming of age celebration?"
With his response, she smiled broadly, "It is good that you are well today. Yes, the celebration! Will the Lord Eriboth do me the favor of saving me a dance this evening?"
"Of course My Lady, I would be most grateful for the opportunity to dance with you tonight!" he said without the attempt at hiding his extreme excitement.
"Then I will see you this evening. Make sure you say 'hello' to your bother for me. I am quite sure he is too preoccupied with his preparations to lend me his ear," she said while showing a large smile.
"I will make sure to pass your greetings on to him, Zamorinthia," he answered. With a last warm smile, she curtsied. He bowed deeply to her and as he stood, she winked and bid him farewell. His eyes followed her until she rounded the corner of the castle halls and out of his sight, though her beautiful image stayed within his mind for the remainder of the day.
Striding with a purposeful confidence and elegance, his excitement was too great to be contained. He felt engaged in life and was looking forward to seeing her tonight. And her request for him to save her a dance was beginning to fuel his heart and spill its glorious feeling into his soul. Before seeing her this morning, although he had long admired her, he was very apprehensive to express his new found adoration. After all, he was not Elf and lacked their innate grace and elegance. Regardless of the height he had gained, and the new found muscle tone to accompany his broadening shoulders, now almost rivaling Tlinel's, his confidence regarding his social standing amongst the elves was still very much doubted; but the Lady Endinudon’s insistence that he save her a dance had ignited a spark of hope, and it was beginning to show.
"My Dear Son, Eriboth, I sense there is something greater at work on this day than just your brother's coming of age ceremony, for I have not seen this spark of joy within you for much too long a time," grinning but remaining silent, he did not respond to his mother's question, but instead embraced her in a very genuine and deep hug. "Truly, Eri, this is good to see from you, but you must explain to me the genesis for your jovial countenance. I am very much intrigued."
"Mother, the Lady Endinudon has requested I save her a dance tonight!" he said, trying to hide his true excitement.
"Zamorinthia?"
"Yes, Mother!"
"Very good, Eri. I will ask the stars to make your feet light tonight. What dance will you save for her?"
He stood, with a blank expression upon his face. In his excitement about being asked to save her a dance, it had eluded him that as the male counterpart in the dance, it was his responsibility to select the dance they would share. His mother saw his expression change from barely contained elation to worry, then to horror. "My Dear Eriboth, what has happened?"
"What if I pick a dance she does not enjoy?"
"I am quite sure any dance you pick will find her well pleased."
"What if I cannot remember the steps of the dance I choose? What if she cannot remember the steps of the dance I choose and ends up disliking me for embarrassing her?"
"Eri, I am sure she is well schooled in all the dances. Were you not in the Etiquette class together?"
"Yes."
"Then she will know the exact same dances you know." Seeing his mind and anxiety continue to build, she decided to divert his attention to a solution rather than more questions. If there was one thing she knew about her son, Eriboth, it was that he functioned much more productively when set upon a task to occupy his rather wandering mind rather than to leave it to its own musings. "If you are still unsure, I suggest asking one of her friends which dance is her favorite and then practice it before the celebration begins."
"Yes! Yes, that is it, Mother!" he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "I must go find one of her friends!" He turned and almost darted off, his mind successfully redirected and focused. The queen smiled as she watched her still young son stride away with a renewed sense of purpose.
Floating so close to his mother, he could sense her affectionate gaze, with almost a hint of pity. But perhaps he had transferred to her eyes that which he felt, because he knew what was coming next. In the estimation of his own consciousness, he need not witness it again, but whatever was guiding his recollection of specific, yet seemingly random events, had determined that he needed to see this, to feel it, to live it once more. He silently asked for the guiding acceleration to grip him in its throngs and turn him upward, if indeed direction was still a reality. But no answer to his silent request was granted. Rather, as his eyes closed and opened again because of an internal acquiescence, the vision smoothly transition to the events of the evening's celebratory dancing. And there he was.
He saw the youthful version of himself throughout the evenin
g engage in speaking with several of the Noble House Lords. Not all spoke to him because some still maintained he stood as an example of a potential impurity threatening the Elven Culture, and if accepted openly, they would have conceded that a different race could equal that of the elves. He saw his brother gracefully accept the center of all attention as he welcomed his guests, young and old alike. Once the dinner had completed, the dancing began. He saw himself apprehensively awaiting the first notes of the music to accompany the dance he had chosen as advised by the Lady Endinudon's friends. The elder Eriboth, the dead Eriboth, again closed his eyes, for this memory was still vividly alive within him, and he desired not relive its betrayal again.
Both the elder and younger finally heard the notes of moments past and present. The song began, and his youthful hopes would manifest shortly. He knew he was searching for the Lady Endinudon, and knew exactly where she would be, but they younger version of himself was progressing through this vision without the forward knowledge presented to his older self. As such, there he stood, two separate versions of himself and two separate emotional conditions. The younger, looking now frantically in the hopes to engaged his first desire in what he had been excitedly expecting for the better part of the day, but secretly desiring for the better part of the last two years; and the elder, held hopeless with the knowledge of the cascading emotions he would soon feel.
Convergence (The Dragon Within Saga Book 1) Page 51