by M A Bernier
Keller, and the five other ‘business men’ as he preferred to refer to them, met in a dust, seldom used room above an empty tavern. For a number of years they had waited patiently for some sign that the enemy from the Evergreen Continent was truly a threat. Keller’s empire of thieves and pirates may not be the largest, but it was one of the most influential and he wanted to remain that way. The moral code of the Evergreen populace would never tolerate the ‘business’ he and his associates engaged in. Keller and the others with him had been arguing for almost an hour now about the supposed threat of the Evergreen populace.
“Keller.” The scruffy, lean man smoking a pipe spoke. His voice was raspy and his face unshaven and worn beyond years, “That Ambassador Ardant and his friends would not dare to impose the beliefs on us.”
“How could they?” Another man, older, heavyset and gray hair hanging to his waist responded.
“You seem to forget the host of dragons and those strange ships the colonist returned in and the fact that his friend Eryyn also has a host of mages at his command not to mention it is rumored he can do almost anything he wants.” Keller responded to the older man dressed in black with a sword on his back.
“Besides, the agreement was made so long ago and has been kept in force, and they have this ridiculous code of integrity which will force them to honor that agreement.” The scruffy man spoke once more.
“An agreement, I remind you, kept in force by their council of mages which Eryyn disbanded around five years ago.” Keller stood and faced the window looking out on the dark street below. It was night and the few lanterns lit in the street were barely visible and hardly provided light of any significance. “All of us know how desperate they are to unite this planet, to ‘heal’ it as they have said. It is only a matter of time before they try something; of this I have no doubt.”
“My spies tell me Eryyn has been seen here very recently.” A younger man, still young in looks spoke from the far end of the table. He had blond hair neatly cropped, dark blue eyes, and his face had a large scar across his right cheek. “Two of our ‘compatriots’ have suddenly gone missing. How long before the targets the rest of us if he should discover who we are? I say send this force we have by the land bridge to the Evergreen continent and wipe them out. Using the land bridge would give us the element of surprise; even if they summoned their dragons it would be too late.” The group began to erupt in a series of small arguments both for and against a preemptive strike.
“We also have the sorcerers of the black city under our control.” The scruffy man replied. “They may hate us, but we outnumber then a thousand to one, they know their place and would have no choice but to defend should the either the dragons or Eryyn and his mages attack.” The sound of steps from the stairs beyond the door caused their conversation to end. The door was already opening so they drew whatever weapon at hand whether it be sword, dart, dagger or bow. No one was supposed to know they were here. A robed figure carrying a staff reached the top of the steps, his hood covered his eyes but the rest of his face reflected the flicking of the lantern on the table.
“Whoever you are, you have just guaranteed your death.” Keller ordered the others to attack. As arrow, dart and dagger flew through the air they bounced off an invisible wall in front of the stranger. The tip of the staff began to glow with a white orb about the size of a fist.
“I had hoped that perhaps each of you would be more open minded than the others.” The figure made no move. “I can only imagine, not that I care, that you have been discussing new ways to cheat your fellow inhabitants of the Barren Continent.”
“You have no right to interfere with our ways.” One of the other men, an old man standing with the aid of a cane, addressed him. “I recognize your voice, that face, and that staff, Eryyn of the Evergreen Continent.” Keller and two others moved as if to step forward and attack but a wave of the old man’s hand held them still. “We keep to ourselves, and you do the same. The people here have chosen to live here and abide by the law that governs this land.”
“Law?” The cloaked figure almost laughed with contempt. “There is no law except the corrupt one you and your kind have designed. Rest assured I won’t have to ‘interfere’ with your rule, your people will eventually see through the lies you have draped over their eyes.”
“And you're going to help them along, aren’t you?” The old man said stepping even closer than most others dared.
“Say goodbye to your way of life. Like the passing of the council mages so will it be with rule of the iron fist you wield. Once the people are shown they have a choice, a real choice, your way of life will become obsolete.” The figure moved as if to turn away, then looked back at those in the room as if an afterthought occurred. “Take heed that I have spared your lives not out of kindness, but only so you can contemplate the coming change. As the weather changes so do the times in which we live, be careful what when the wind changes, it could propel you to a new future, or be the fatal winds of defeat.” The figure turned his back on them and left by the same steps he had come into the room. No one made any move to stop him; it would have been pointless.
In the darkened alley of the town of Pyrate Odien hid in the shadows of doorway waiting for his master to return. He needed no eyes to tell him what he sensed in the back of his mind, Jyn-Taa walked and greeted him without even looking for him. Odien stepped from the shadows and lowered his head in greeting.
“Watch them closely, especially the old man.” Odien nodded and hid once more in the shadows. He knew it would only be a matter of time before the one he watched would make contact with others. Odien would have new names and faces for Jyn-Taa to influence or, to take because they have the symbol of Eriflen, or for Vuuaan.
*** Homecoming ***
Miram could not sleep well and woke several hours before sunrise. She let Sernik and the boys sleeping while she gathered eggs for breakfast. She performed a few chores around Eryyn and Alys’s home. She tried to read more of the books from the library stacked on the table to learn more of the mystery of the missing people, but her mind was still distracted by the disturbing events a week earlier when Rothyn had somehow been under the control of some dark influence. She walked outside just as the sun was about to break over the horizon. She shivered and realized just how cold it was becoming. It was going to be another cold and long winter she was sure of that. Miram was about to go inside when she felt a strange sensation, it felt as if something were coming from the South. She looked at the evergreen dome in the meadow, the dragons Rothyn, Gydin and their grandfather were presumably still inside. She felt anguish for Rothyn. The event had left him ashamed and very guilt ridden for almost taking not only his brother’s life, but the two boys as well. Her son and Cadan had both been trying to persuade Rothyn to play with them again, but he was still reluctant. She looked back south, and that is when she saw the air high above the meadow become distorted. She was about to call for Sernik but found him already beside her. She pointed at the sky where what looked like a whirlpool of water was forming.
“What is that?” Miram said slowly. She and Sernik looked at each other in confusion.
“I’ll get my sword.” Sernik said. Miram stopped him by placing a hand on his arm.
“Wait.” She paused and smiled at him. “It’s Eryyn and the others.” She and Sernik saw the dragon king emerge from the dome.
Ahm-Roth look at the strange sight of the ship bearing his daughter and her friends emerge from the vortex of water in the sky. He felt Eryyn’s power guiding the ship to the ground, he also felt something new, a different power, elemental in nature, but it was emanating from Jaymee. In the back of his mind he knew it should seem familiar to him. Within a few moments the memories from his ancestors flooded his mind. The power he felt was that of an elemental sorcerer.
Eryyn, Alys and the others stood on the front of the ship as it passed through the vortex of water. They suddenly found themselves high up in the air, and dropping quickly. Eryyn was n
ot sure yet if Jaymee had complete control of the elements so he extended his own power to cradle the ship and slow its descent. He quickly recognized his home, he and Alys watched as Miram and Reskin watched and waited while they descended to just north of the home. Once the ship settled to the ground Alys caused the earth around it to form up and hold the ship in place. A single bridge of dirt formed path from the edge of the ship to the ground. She listened as Eryyn turned to Jaymee. “I know I said I wanted to get us as close to home as possible,” he paused smiling at Jaymee, “don’t you think this a bit too close.” She smiled. Alys watched as Eryyn placed a reassuring hand on Jaymee’s shoulder. “You will get better in time, now, I think we should bring the others up to date with what we found and it’s time we put the information to good use.” Syl had already departed and was greeting her father, Eryyn and the others were greeted by Miram and Sernik, but all felt as if something serious had happened in their absence. As Ahm-Roth and Miram told Eryyn and the others what had happened Gydin, accompanied by his subdued brother emerged from the dome. Once Rothyn spotted Eryyn and Alys he immediately placed his head so low to the ground it scraped the frost covered grass.
“You have nothing to fear or be ashamed of from us.” Alys said placing her hand on the side of this face. His eyes were closed but tears began to escape them. Eryyn also placed his hand on Rothyn’s face and assured him he harbored no anger telling him there nothing he could have done against whatever force exerted itself.
“Alys, Eryyn.” Miram’s voice sounded strange to Alys, as if she were about to deliver more bad news. “There is a bit more we need to share with you.”
”What is it?” Asked Eryyn. Miram looked back at Alys then looked at Ahm-Roth who spoke first.
“You may judge harshly, but also judge with the knowledge that even the most hated or evil can change.” Ahm-Roth said in a kingly, but softened tone. Alys turned to Miram.
“What’s going on?” Alys asked. Miram took her hands.
“When Rothyn was taken over it was all I and the other apprentices could do to hold him in place until Ahm-Roth arrived. If we had not had the help of two others, he would have escaped us and done much more harm than he did. They made the difference in just the few moments before Ahm-Roth arrived.” Alys could not help notice that Ahm-Roth had moved between her and Eryyn, and the entrance of the evergreen dome. She and Eryyn stood as two figures emerged and removed their hoods revealing their faces. Before anyone could react a sphere of the Whitefire burst from Alys’s hands at the two standing at the entrance, the sphere impacted not on them but against Ahm-Roth’s sphere of fire he belched forth.
“Why did you stop me?” She was astounded, angry, and confused at Ahm-Roth’s interference. “They tried to kill Eryyn! They betrayed him and would have betrayed all of us for their own pathetic need for power!” Ahm-Roth could see the anger in her eyes; her hair almost seemed as bright and fiery as the sun itself. Alys looked from Ahm-Roth to Eryyn who stood motionless as he looked at the two of them. “Are you going to just stand there?” She asked softly, as if imploring him to do something to avenge himself.
“Alys.” Eryyn said softly. “Why don’t you see to Cadan.” He turned to her and took her hands in his. She was about to protest until she saw his eyes. There were so many emotions in them but mostly what she saw was his concern for her and the anger she felt. She did not protest but instead looked once with undisguised anger at Stephaun and Zandyr before turning to go to her house. He waited until she was inside before approaching them, as he stepped within arm’s reach they both dropped to their knees and lowered their heads to face the ground.
“We freely submit to you or anyone’s judgment.” Stephaun spoke and then Zandyr continued as they were one person speaking.
“Our crime is well known to you.”
“Ahm-Roth can see into places of the heart where I cannot go.” Eryyn said to the two of them. “I have no judgment to pass upon you, and I do not want you to bow before me, your conscience will be your judge.” The two stood before Eryyn but did not look him in the face. “I understand I have the two of you to thank for the safety of my son, for that I am very grateful.” Eryyn extended his hand, there was a momentary pause before each of them shook his in turn. Eryyn looked back at the house before speaking again to them. “I would suggest you avoid Alys for the time being, she has a great deal of anger to resolve, and it will take time. Perhaps you should join the others at the library once I have spoken with them. In time the two of can join the rest of the apprentice mages to learn how to summon the Whitefire of the Rootsource.”
”It would be best,” Replied Zandyr with Stephaun continuing, “that the power of the Whitefire remain apart from us.” Zandyr continued. “Power is what corrupted our souls and brought us to the point where we betrayed you to the council and to Lysithia, we neither deserve nor crave that power any longer.”
“We are grateful that you have stripped away the lies which we forced upon ourselves and each other.” Stephaun addressed Eryyn. “There is no more deceit between the two of us, we are content for the first time in our lives and would ask that you not undo what you had done.” Eryyn felt the burden of his heart lift. It had been partly out of anger when he merged their minds completely so that the two could see how then had been using each other.
“Then I will leave everything as it is.” Eryyn turned to Ahm-Roth as Stephaun and Zandyr returned to within the dome of vegetation. “I believe it is time that we paid a visit to the Barren Continent, in person.”
“My presence could complicate matters.” Replied Syl who had come closer after greeting her sons.
“I agree.” Replied Eryyn. “For this part I feel it would be best if Ardant, Jaymee myself and Alys, all must become persona non-grata.” The others looked at him in confusion but Eryyn only smiled in return. “It is a term that EverGreen told me about, it means we four must become as common and unremarkable as those we wish to walk among.”
“How are we going to get there?” Asked Jaymee. “Ardant’s ships cannot land. I don’t think it would be wise to use the Markers and if the stories I heard as an apprentice are true we may not even be able to get there by a Marker gateway.”
“I have a solution.” Ardant was smiling much too broadly making Jaymee feel very uncomfortable. Ardant looked at Jaymee with an expression that stated he was about to get even. “We could parachute in.”
“Pair a shoot?” Asked Syl. “I am unfamiliar with that expression.”
“As am I.” Replied Eryyn.
“It’s one word, it means we literally float to the surface after we jump from one of my ships from the sky. The parachute is made up of a light material that can capture the wind in a manner allowing us to float slowly and safely to the ground. My ship has detailed scans of the outer edges of the Barren Continent. We can land in areas that are traveled lightly and make our way to the main cities, it should only take a few days walk at most.”
“This pair-a-shoot sounds dangerous to me.” Syl replied as she eyed Ardant closely trying to unnerve him.
“Welcome to my culture.” He smiled smugly back at her.
“Then it’s decided," Eryyn looked at his house, “I will talk to Alys.” He looked back at Ardant. “Can we be dropped in tonight?”
“I will make the arrangements immediately.”
“Father.” Jaymee spoke sensing another presence, as he did a human shaped form made up of roots and vines formed beside him and then placed its hand upon Jaymee’s shoulder. “EverGreen wants to speak through me.”
”You can communicate with him?” Eryyn asked.
“Yes, since the City of Tre’El after I held the staff and summoned the four elements I felt a connection form.”
“Go ahead then.” Eryyn stood. Jaymee’s eyes changed for a moment to ice blue.
“Eryyn.” The voice was Jaymee’s but the mannerism was EverGreen. “After you entered Tre’El I was able to focus my efforts elsewhere. I believe Ardant is correct about the Ba
rren Continent. Something about it now feels out of balance. I wish I could say more but I cannot yet pinpoint the location.”
“Is there anything else you can tell us?” Asked Syl.
“I’m afraid not. I need to withdraw from Jaymee, it is still difficult to communicate in this way while I am joined so completely with the earth.”
“Do what you can my old friend.” Replied Eryyn, the hand withdrew from Jaymee and the form merged back into the ground.
“I can call him and speak with him if necessary father.” Eryyn nodded and turned to Syl.
“I am going to assume that whoever is behind the abductions may be aware of what we know. I know you cannot go with us to the Barren Continent. I think it would be wise for you and your kind to start scouting any and all continents, islands for anything sign of unusual activity.”
“Father.” Syl bowed her head to her father who responded in kind, she was to be in charge, she left to make her preparations.
“How is Gydin and Rothyn?” Asked Eryyn as he turned to Ahm-Roth.
“Both have healed physically, Rothyn must now heal his spirit and his heart, that will take much longer.”
“How dangerous is the threat to your kind?” Eryyn hated to ask that question, he knew the pride of dragons, but also know Ahm-Roth always expected him to be open with him.
“Not so much anymore as it would have been. The enemy made the mistake of alerting us to their presence. All of my kind is now aware of what transpired, should it happen again we should be able to resist the invasion.”
“Then all we can do is wait.” Replied Eryyn, Ahm-Roth snorted.
“I hate waiting.” Eryyn could only smile and agree.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN