Alynon's Tear

by Rick Brown

  “I think it’s what Lee wants to talk to you about. He was just waiting on the right time. Lee is the true King of Alsselya. That’s why everyone treats him with deference, and it’s why he has traveled with King Kendrick.”

  I stood there shocked for a moment. “No, Lee can’t be a King,” I said as much to myself as Brianna. “He’s a Captain in the Vaelin army.”

  “He’s that too,” she explained. “It’s that special magic he does. Like his shield, only Lee can do that. It’s part of his ancestry. That is why King Kendrick acknowledged him as the rightful King of Alsselya, it’s also why our kingdom is about to go to war with Dommeran.”

  Some unknown hope inside me died. One that I had not even acknowledged was there. Lee was a King. That is why Lord Waith told me he was special. That is why he traveled with Alsselyian priests, and why they treated him with such respect.

  Lee mentioned that the elves broke contact with humans after Alsselya fell, and now I traveled with an elf. Suddenly, all the puzzle pieces that had confused me over the last week clicked together. I felt so overwhelmed as Bri took my hand and lead me into the house.

  I looked at the group. Now Ryan’s role made since. He was assisting Lee. Barad, Lenux, Brianna, and Whilhoit must be some kind of bodyguards.

  I blindly followed Bri’s red hair as we walked through the house. Not even noticing the vast collection of mounted animals lining the hall.

  Chapter 14

  (Barad)

  We followed Lee and Lord Faluth through the manor. While bigger than his house near the city, it was decorated in much the same fashion. The hallway was lined with beasts of all types. The Lord did truly love his hunting.

  We filed in after them as we entered Lord Faluth’s den. A roaring fire filled the oversized fireplace. Mounted above it was the largest boar’s head I had ever seen.

  “Please everyone, have a seat and relax. The servants will be here shortly with some wine,” The Lord requested as he gestured toward the various chairs. “King Eberon, would you join me by the fire?” Lee smiled and joined the Lord.

  I looked around deciding whom to join. One look at Abigail ruled out sitting by her. She was busy staring daggers at Lee. Brianna was sitting near her, which ruled out sitting there as well. The priests had found seats as close to the fire as they could without intruding on Lord Faluth and Lee.

  The rest of the boys were heading to an isolated couch and chairs. Lenux signaled to me that I should join them. Walking over, I found a comfy leather chair. “Well boys, it looks like warm beds tonight. Probably our last until we reach Illiner.”

  “Our beds are not the soft, squishy things you sleep in,” Farloc corrected. “I don’t know how you humans can walk in the morning after a night on those monstrosities. I have been sleeping on the floor.”

  “Well, we will be camping on the ground on our way up the mountains, I’m sure we’ll take anything by the time we get there,” Lenux added.

  “Have any of you been watching Abi?” Whilhoit asked. “For once it looks like Bri is not the most dangerous one in the room.”

  I turned and glanced at her, her expression had not changed. “I warned Lee days ago. He said she had a lot of changes in her life right now and didn’t want to dump more drama on her.”

  “That seems to have worked out well,” Ryan said with a shake of his head.

  “Well, it is obvious the girl cares for Lee,” Farloc stated matter-of-factly.

  “No,” Whilhoit denied as he glanced back over there. “They’ve just met a few days ago.”

  Farloc shook his head in frustration. “You humans, you look, but you cannot see. The girl has surrendered her life into our hands. Lee has spent time with her each day. He is strong and handsome. All the while he has been kind to her. Do not discount that the girl could have feelings.”

  “Are you sure that feeling isn’t hate?” I asked. “She looks like she could murder him.”

  “I agree that Lee has waited too long,” Farloc continued with his observations. “Abigail is a beautiful woman. He was enjoying that he was an equal with the girl. Now that dynamic has been ruined. He must build a new one.”

  “How old are you Farloc?” Ryan asked.

  “I am still young. Just two-hundred and seven.”

  “And that boys,” I explained, “is why they are called long-lived.”

  “Imagine living that long,” Whilhoit wondered. “The things you could learn.”

  Farloc nodded. “We spend much of our time studying. The world around us has much to teach.”

  A servant came by and handed out our wine. Farloc waved away his glass, of course. Lord Farloc had a rich red wine that was very tasty. I leaned back in my comfortable chair enjoying my night. Suddenly, I felt a slap on the back of my head.

  “Come ‘on, Abi needs friends right now,” Bri said under her breath.

  “But I hardly know her,” I whined. I just wanted to stay and play with my friends, not get into that drama. Bri grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the chair.

  “Good luck,” Whilhoit called after me and he moved from the couch to my chair. The traitor, I thought as I turned to follow Bri.

  Abi was still just leaning against the wall. The anger had left her eyes, but now she just seemed lost in her own thoughts. Farloc was right about at least one thing. Abigail was a very pretty woman, even when she was considering tearing someone’s head off.

  “So, Lee’s a King,” She finally spoke.

  “Well, in a way,” I explained. “After all, he doesn’t have a kingdom. He grew up in a guild, and along with other odd guild jobs, he protected the border for three years. He’s only been a King for a few months really.”

  “And it’s his magic? That’s how they know he’s the King?”

  “Yes,” Brianna answered this time. “We were on a mission for the church and I was hit in the back with a dagger. Barad carried me back to the priest, but there was nothing they could do. Then Lee walked in and healed me.”

  Abigail finally took her eyes off Lee and stared at Brianna. “He can heal people!”

  “Well, no,” I explained. “He doesn’t know how. Alynon guided Lee in healing Bri.” Abigail looked at me like I was crazy and Bri gave me the ‘you just did something stupid’ look. I get that one a lot.

  “Alynon? Like the god Alynon?” Abigail asked.

  Oh, I see what I did now. “Well, yes. He talks to Lee in his dreams, and sometimes when he’s awake. Through the coin.” This was just getting worse.

  “What coin?” she asked, looking even more confused.

  “Alynon gave him a coin when he was healing from helping Brianna.”

  “Why are you talking in circles? This is so confusing,” Abigail replied angrily. “Why did he need healing for helping Bri?”

  “Let me take this one,” Bri interrupted before I could speak. Bless her. “The energy you used today came from around you.” Abigail nodded. “Lee’s comes from within himself. He describes it as a well. If he uses too much energy, he can’t support himself and he collapses. It’s happened twice. Once when he saved me, and once when he protected the King from your uncle’s attack.”

  “That was Lee?” She asked, again turning to look at him.

  “Yes, he saved the King and most of the Lords. Both times he used all his magic and was unconscious for days.”

  “Why am I here then?” She asked as she wiped away a tear. “You are all so important and wrapped up in this thing. Why did you bring me here?”

  Brianna smiled. “Of all of the ones gathered around Lee, you are the only one the gods told him to bring.”

  “The gods?” she asked shocked.

  “Do you think Lee just happened to be wandering around a horse stable at night? He was told through his coin to find you. You, more than anyone, are supposed to be here. You belong with us.”

  Brianna reached out and hugged Abigail. At first Abi looked shocked by the news, then she broke into a smile. I think after never belonging anywhere, sh
e finally felt as part of a group. I couldn’t help but reach out and grab them both in a big bear hug.

  Pulling back, I saw Lee was watching us. I gave him our safe sign. He nodded and turned back to Lord Faluth.

  “Thank you Bri, Barad,” Abigail said. “There is still so much I don’t understand, but at least things are starting to fall into place.”

  “Well,” I said as I grabbed a glass of wine from a passing servant and handing it to Abi. I secretly hoped it was meant for Whilhoit. “Since you are one of our group now, let’s join the boys and have some fun.”

  “So when Tillen walked out, I was hiding behind the door and Mary was caught standing there,” Abi laughed, recounting the night she had secretly served our brandy at Lord Waith’s. “He thought she was the one spying.”

  “That took a lot of guts,” Whilhoit admired. “Sneaking in to spy on people you thought were there to arrest you.”

  “Oh, I really don’t know what possessed me. I’ve never really been brave,” she explained.

  “Oh no,” I added. “Of course you aren’t brave. You just spied on a bunch of armed men, tried to leave all you had known in the middle of the night, and then left with us, going gods know where so you can learn magic. I can see the yellow streak down your spine from here.”

  She shrugged, “What can I say, it’s been a crazy week.”

  Lee came and squeezed himself on the couch between Ryan and Whilhoit. “Lord Faluth has retired for the night. So, what are we talking about?”

  “Abi was just recounting the night we met,” Bri answered.

  “Oh? Did she get to the part where she tossed me around like a child’s toy?”

  “No,” I laughed, “but I’m looking forward to that bit. I’ve been wanting to do that for years.”

  “Oh no, I’m think I’m done with my story telling tonight,” Abigail said with a sudden shyness.

  “I’m sorry,” Lee said, looking concerned. “I didn’t mean to interrupt the fun.”

  Brianna saved us from the awkwardness. “Lee, what did you and Lord Faluth talk about?”

  Lee gazed sadly at Abi for a moment before turning to Bri. “Good news, actually. His guides have blazed numerous trails up into the mountains. He will have his lead guide take us as far as the border. It should shave days off of our journey.”

  “Well that’s good,” Ryan joined in. “Even with my new coat, it’s getting cold out there. Especially at night.”

  “Yes, well that’s the not so great news. There’s already snow on the mountains. It will be treacherous.”

  Farloc shook his head. “If the mountains already have snow, then it will be impassable. We won’t be able to get there until spring, maybe summer.”

  “We don’t have time to wait out the winter here.”

  Farloc shrugged. “It’s not a matter of inconvenience, Your Majesty. It is simply not possible to travel the mountains in winter.”

  Lee sighed. “I don’t know then. Maybe we’ll have to go to Tiber. At least there we will be close to the mountains and can keep track of the snow.”

  “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

  “I understand, Farloc. I don’t blame you. It’s just very disappointing,” Lee replied as he started to get up. “On that depressing note, I think I’ll go to bed.”

  I smiled at Bri. “Bed does sound wonderful.”

  Chapter 15

  (Lee)

  Well, this night didn’t go at all as I would have liked. Abi was mad at me and now our entire mission to get the stone was in jeopardy. After leaving the group, the servants led me to a nice room Lord Faluth had prepared for me. Dejectedly, I sat in a chair and pulled my boots off. After a long day, at least that felt good.

  Getting up, I stretched my back and walked around the room. After a week of riding all day and sleeping in the cold at night, it would be good to rest in a bed again. The servants had left a tub in the room for me. Stripping down, I used magic to get the water perfect and climbed in. I relaxed and tried not to think about my problems. Just being clean felt marvelous. Finally, I climbed into bed for some sleep.

  As I fell asleep, I felt I was in Alynon’s dream world again. I found myself in a forest. Similar to the area we were in now. I started walking down a path ankle deep in snow. As always, it was eerily quiet in the dream world.

  “Your elf friend is right,” Alynon stated as he walked up behind me. As always, the god towered over me. “Even here, at the base of the mountain, snow has started to accumulate. Further up, the trails are impassable.”

  “Then we are delayed until they thaw,” I stated sadly. We were still far from Illiner. Even had we left earlier, we could not have made it.

  “I just said the trails were impassable, I didn’t say there was not way to get to the city.”

  “I can’t melt that much snow, even with Abigail’s help,” I complained.

  Alynon found a large boulder and sat as he looked at me. Even then, I wasn’t eye level with the god. “You won’t be going over the mountain, but through it. There is a cavern system that runs most of the Veluvian Mountains. The dwarves marked the paths centuries ago. It lays there, all but forgotten now, other than by the odd cave troll.”

  “So, we can travel these caves to Illiner?” I asked. This was the first ray of hope I had seen today.

  “With the proper guide, yes. You will need to find a dwarf to translate the runes marking the way. There is a dwarven outcast named Orlik that lives on the other side of the border. You will need him.”

  “How will I find him?” I asked.

  “Farloc has heard of him. He can help locate the dwarf. Also, you do not need to keep secret our discussions from the elves. In a way, I have communicated with the elves for years. The other gods just ignore the non-humans. Who do you think sent you their envoy? I just don’t do it in dreams, rather it’s in the form of signs they can interpret,” He said with a smile. “Now, you will likely take at least two weeks to traverse the caverns. The only light will be what you take with you, so prepare well for that.”

  I let out a slow whistle. “That will be a lot of oil.”

  “You have the ability to assist with that. It will only take a little energy, once you have it going. You will require a crystal. Once you have one, just send some energy into it as you picture it glowing. How much energy flows into the crystal will determine the amount of light it emits.”

  “That’s a convenient one. I could have used that before.”

  “And you would have,” Alynon lectured. “If you were experimenting as I had asked. While you are at it, start studying human anatomy. When it comes time that you have to heal someone, you will need that knowledge.”

  “That makes sense, but I’ll have to get to one of the capitals to find a book like that.”

  “Yes, I would agree with your assumption, still keep it in mind.”

  “So, we are on the right track, then. I’m glad to hear it.”

  “Yes, but I also wish to warn you. Your actions at the winter ball did not go unnoticed in Dommeran. While I don’t think they yet realized a descendent of the Alsselyian royal family still lives, they do know that there is a talented magic user in Vaelin. There are a number of priests and agents looking for you now. You need to be alert. Especially with that Dommerian soldier that escaped today.”

  Well, that is disturbing news, I thought. “I’ll warn our group, so everyone can be on lookout.”

  Alynon nodded, “That would be well. Now, I shall release you,” he said as he stood back up. “This will be your last night in a bed for some time. Enjoy your rest.”

  The next morning Lord Faluth gave me access to his dining hall so that I might discuss my conversation with my companions. We ate breakfast in there and then the servants left so we could talk in private. I related my conversation with Alynon to the group.

  “I have indeed heard of Orlik,” Farloc confirmed. “He is one of King Fenlek’s sons, a prince prior to his exile.”

  “What was he exiled f
or?” Father Yagen asked.

  Farloc shook his “It was considered an internal matter of the dwarves, and was not shared with our people.”

  “So, are you aware of these caverns?” Father Pild asked.

  Farloc shrugged. “There are many caves in the Veluvian Mountains. I am not aware of any connection of tunnels that would allow us to travel through the mountain.”

  “So, we need to find Orlik, as Alynon advised. How do we do it?” I asked to Farloc.

  “It is rumored he lives in a rather unsavory human mining town at the base of the mountain. I assume he is still there.”

  “We’ll fit right in,” Barad said with his usual grin.

  “Great,” Lenux mumbled, “It’ll be like working on the docks again.”

  “You think that was bad for you, try it as a woman,” Bri added.

  “Yes, it will probably be best if we try to stick together while we are there,” I agreed as I glanced at Abigail. I briefly made eye contact with her, and then she glanced away. Sighing, I returned to the task at hand. “You all hit the town and see what supplies we can buy. Keep an eye open for a crystal. Alynon says I can use one to create light while in the cavern. I will talk with Lord Faluth again about borrowing his guide.” With that, everyone left to see what they could procure.

  I went down the hall and found Lord Faluth in his study. “Lord Faluth. I have discussed it with my people, and will continue our journey later this morning.”

  He gave me a hard look. “Your Majesty, if you go into those mountains, it will be suicide.”

  “We’ve found an alternative route. One that shouldn’t be as dangerous.”

  He sighed. “As you wish, maybe your magic will save you as it did that night at my city manor.” He reached behind him and pulled a servant bell cord. A moment later a servant entered the room.

  “Yes, My Lord?”

  “Fetch me Jacob,” Lord Faluth ordered. The servant nodded and quickly left. Faluth sighed. “These new servants are much more capable, but I miss Phelen,” The Lord bemoaned about his late servant. The man had been killed while we were under attack at Lord Faluth’s estates near Vennean. “We had spent many long years growing old together. Now I am left to do it alone.”