Showers of dust began to drift down from the sky. Lyra staggered and leaned on Marak as she grabbed his arm for support. The Torak stepped behind Lyra and wrapped his arms around her. Her body was shaking with exhaustion, and Marak shouted to Rejji to get LunarSigh. Rejji turned and ran as Marak eased Lyra down to the street and sat beside her.
It was several minutes before Lyra opened her eyes. Several more minutes passed before Rejji returned with LunarSigh. The Sakovan mage immediately began casting spells on the Star of Sakova.
“She is just exhausted,” commented LunarSigh. “There is no damage to her. She will be better in a few minutes.”
Marak rose and paced back and forth, his eyes constantly torn between the damaged block of buildings and the Star of Sakova. A few minutes later, Lyra groaned. Marak turned and knelt by her side. He took one of her hands and held it between his. Lyra smiled up at him. After a few minutes, Lyra said that she wanted to get up. Marak rose and pulled her to her feet. She was still a little unsteady, but she pointed to the destroyed block.
“Let me see what is left,” Lyra said. “We must make sure that it is sealed.”
Marak wrapped his arm around Lyra and guided her towards where he thought the shop had been. Most of the block of buildings had been reduced to fine rubble, but the shop area had been turned into a deep depression covered by thick glass. The glass still glowed red and seemed to flow into ever crack and crevice below it. Lyra smiled and nodded in satisfaction.
“How did you do that?” asked Rejji as he and LunarSigh arrived.
“I didn’t,” answered Lyra. “Kaltara did. Cover the block with grass and trees. Let a pleasant park dedicated to Kaltara grow over this site. It is no longer the Pit of Death.”
“Is it safe for the others to return?” Rejji asked. “I am sure that the thunder has them worried. They will want to see what has been done.”
Marak scooped Lyra up into his arms. He started carrying her away and called over his shoulder to Rejji.
“The people may return,” shouted the Torak. “Instruct them to create the park.”
“I can walk you know,” Lyra smiled up at Marak.
“You have done enough for one day,” Marak smiled back. “You are going to relax for the rest of the day, and I going to stay by your side to make sure that you do. Do not try to dismiss me.”
“That thought never even crossed my mind,” grinned Lyra. “Carry me away.”
Chapter 16
Alamanda
A long string of islands, like hopping stones across a pond, appeared off the bow of the ancient elven scout ship. MistyTrail roused Mistake from her nap and pointed to them. Mistake sat up and stared at the islands.
“Those must be the Barrier Islands,” Mistake said as she peered over the bow rail. “It doesn’t look like anyone lives on them. Are we getting close to Elvangar?”
“I don’t know,” shrugged the Sakovan warrior as she nodded towards the stern. “I suspect that we might be. Eltor and Caldal have been arguing for over an hour.”
“What about?” asked Mistake.
“I am not sure,” replied MistyTrail, “but I think it has to do with the trouble they are going to be in when we get to Elvangar. I guess they hadn’t really thought much about it until they were actually on their way home.”
“What do you think it will be like?” asked Mistake. “Elvangar I mean. Eltor and Caldal have talked so little about it that I do not know what to expect.”
“I have no idea,” frowned MistyTrail. “Part of me is curious to discover it, but another part of me is anxious about it. If the elves are forbidden from passing these Barrier Islands, how will we ever get home?”
“Home,” Mistake echoed forlornly. “I never really had a home. I envy the life that you have had. Do you miss it?”
“I do,” MistyTrail admitted after a long pause. “I would not leave your side to return there, but I do think about my friends often. It was a home.”
“I didn’t give the Sakova a fair chance,” frowned Mistake. “I am sorry for the way I acted while I was there. Perhaps we will return there someday. Let’s go see what Eltor and Caldal are arguing about.”
Mistake and MistyTrail moved to the stern. Eltor and Caldal stopped talking when they saw that they had company.
“Don’t stop arguing on our account,” said Mistake. “We want to listen in and see where our future lies.”
“We weren’t arguing,” retorted Caldal.
“Yes, we were,” argued Eltor. “They may not understand what we are discussing, but they have a stake in this decision as well as we do.”
“What were you discussing?” asked MistyTrail.
“Our approach to Elvangar,” answered Eltor. “There are two ways that we can go home. One is safe, but will lead to immediate capture by the elders. The other is more dangerous, but will allow us to see our friends and family before we give ourselves up.”
“Perhaps we can help you talk this through,” suggested Mistake. “Tell us of the two approaches.”
“Elvangar has only one approach from the sea,” replied Caldal. “There is a magical entrance through the jungle to the Gates of Elvangar.”
“The Gates of Elvangar are not really gates,” interrupted Eltor. “There is a narrow channel that passes through a towering cliff. That channel is called the Gates of Elvangar. Sentries are always posted atop the cliffs, and they see every vessel approaching. After we pass through the channel, we will be immediately seized and hauled before the elders.”
“Can’t you sail to someplace other than the docks?” asked Mistake. “Is the harbor so small that you will not be able to?”
“The harbor is huge,” replied Eltor, “but we will not be free to sail anywhere. Two armed ships will meet us, one on each side. They will lash our ship to one of them and tow us to a dock. If we try to deviate from the course, or jump overboard to swim somewhere else, they will kill us. That is why we will not be able to talk to anyone before we are imprisoned.”
“The other approach is by foot,” frowned Caldal. “We would have to abandon this magnificent ship along the coast and then trek through a dangerous jungle. There is a good chance that we would not survive to get to Elvangar.”
“We would survive,” interrupted Eltor. “We have been in jungles before and survived. Besides, we would reach our village before the elders knew that we had returned.”
“There are no guards to stop you?” asked MistyTrail. “That sounds rather lax for a people who cherish their isolation.”
“There are guards,” nodded Eltor, “but they are guards from our village. They will capture us and then send a runner to the city. The elders will send guards to take us away. Still, we will have a few hours to greet old friends and let them know that we are alright.”
“That means a lot to you, doesn’t it, Eltor?” asked MistyTrail.
“It does,” nodded Eltor. “We are likely to be imprisoned for some time. It is the only way that we will have to say goodbye to those we love.”
“And you want to just give yourselves up, Caldal?” asked MistyTrail.
“It is the right thing to do,” nodded Caldal. “We have broken the law. I think we should eagerly surrender and ask for mercy from the elders. If we enter through the jungle, it will appear that we were trying to sneak back into Elvangar and hide our transgressions from the elders. I doubt that any mercy would be extended towards us.”
“What will happen to MistyTrail and me?” asked Mistake. “We haven’t broken any laws yet.”
“You will be hailed as heroes,” replied Eltor. “Or special guests. I am not sure which.”
“Heroes?” frowned Mistake. “Why?”
“Because you rescued us from the Island of Darkness,” explained Eltor. “You are heroes. You are also special because you are elves born in a foreign land. The elders will have many questions for you. You will probably dine with the queen on more than one occasion.”
“Regardless of our method of entry?” a
sked MistyTrail. “People sneaking into the Sakova were never warmly welcomed.”
“Another reason to give ourselves up,” frowned Caldal.
“I don’t think it matters,” argued Eltor. “It will be obvious that we brought Mistake and MistyTrail to Elvangar. How we decide to enter will have no reflection on them.”
“I have to agree with Caldal,” volunteered MistyTrail. “If Elvangar is similar to the Sakova, it is best to be upfront and get it over with. It removes all doubt about your sincerity and your willingness to face up to your punishment.”
Eltor sighed and hung his head. He stared at the floorboards and said nothing. Mistake’s lips pressed tightly together as she watched him.
“I think it is important for Eltor to say goodbye to his friends and family,” Mistake declared. “The jungle may be dangerous, but we have faced danger before and persevered. It is not like he is trying to avoid his punishment. He is just using his free time wisely before he is sentenced.”
“That brings us back to a stalemate,” Caldal shook his head. “How will we decide this?”
“What is there to decide?” asked Mistake. “We are all going to end up in the same place. MistyTrail can sail with Caldal through the Gates of Elvangar. I will trek through the jungle with Eltor. We will meet in the city, and everyone will be happy.”
Eltor brightened considerably and took Mistake’s hand. He looked up and smiled at her. Caldal smiled and nodded.
“So it shall be then,” Caldal declared. “To each his own.”
“I cannot leave Mistake,” frowned MistyTrail. “I promised.”
“You are not leaving me, MistyTrail,” smiled Mistake. “We are going to the same place, but by different routes.”
“You will only be apart for a day,” added Eltor. “Set course for Alamanda.”
Caldal nodded happily and complied. The ship turned slightly as the Barrier Islands grew small behind them. Several hours later, a coastline came into view. They watched as the land drew closer. Several tiny white spots ran along the coast, visible only because they contrasted with foliage of the jungle behind them.
“What are they?” asked Mistake as she pointed to the white areas.
“Ancient elven cities,” replied Eltor. “At one time the elves lived along the coast as well as the interior. That was before the attack by Angragar.”
“Vand,” frowned Mistake.
“Vand,” agreed Eltor. “The ruins stand as a testament to the elven need to remain isolated. We are forbidden to live outside the jungle ring that surrounds us. Oh, how I would love to live on the coast with my ship anchored in front of my house. That can never be, though.”
“Is Alamanda one of the ruins?” asked MistyTrail. “Is that where we are heading?”
“It is the most famous of the ruins,” nodded Eltor. “It is famous not for being attacked, but as the birthplace of Kieran. Only one elf escaped the slaughter that day. It was a young lad named Kieran. He ran all day to carry the word of the attack by ships flying the flag of Angragar.”
“And for this his name is remembered after thousands of years?” questioned Mistake.
“No,” Caldal shook his head. “He is not remembered for his heroic feat. In fact, he is not remembered because of Alamanda, but Alamanda is remembered as his birthplace. Kieran is revered as the greatest elven magician to have ever lived. He was but a student when the attack destroyed the city. He grew up to be not only a great magician, but also the king of the elven people.”
They watched silently as the ruins grew larger. Eventually, Eltor ran to the bow as the ship entered a small natural harbor. He pointed to something unseen, and Caldal steered away from it.
“There are still remnants of stone pillars underwater,” Caldal said as he answered the unasked question. “It is best to avoid them. We have sailed into this harbor many times before. It is our favorite overnight spot when we go fishing.”
Caldal slid the ship onto the beach. Eltor jumped off and dragged the anchor onto the beach and set it. He returned to help Mistake and MistyTrail off the ship. Caldal jumped down and the four of them walked along the beach. Eltor spotted a raft and pointed to it. He ran towards it with Caldal on his heels. Mistake and MistyTrail walked towards them.
“It is crude,” remarked Caldal as he gazed at the simple raft.
It had a mast of sorts and a tattered sail still flapping in the gentle breeze. Fish skeletons littered the roughhewn deck.
“What do you make of it?” asked Eltor. “I have never seen such a sight here before.”
“Nor I,” agreed Caldal. “I suspect that it just washed up here. It is hard to imagine anyone sailing the seas on it.”
“It would be fine for along the coast,” mused Eltor. “Maybe we should secure it. After we give up the elven scouting ship, we won’t have a boat any more. At least we could sail along the coast on it.”
“Along the coast would be fine,” nodded Caldal as if he had another thought entirely. “We will talk about it later. Let’s build a fire and cook a meal.”
Mistake and MistyTrail explored the ruins while Eltor and Caldal built a fire and cooked a meal. The ruins were not much to look at. There were no partially formed buildings to investigate. Instead all that was left of the city of Alamanda were piles of sun-bleached rocks. Some piles were higher than others, but it was not an interesting walk. They returned to the beach.
The four adventurers ate a warm meal and relaxed on the sand. Caldal spent some time cleaning up the abandoned raft and then returned.
“Why did you bother?” asked Eltor. “The sea is only going to reclaim it soon.”
“I don’t think so,” grinned Caldal. “I think the elders will reclaim it.”
“The elders?” frowned Eltor. “Why would they ever bother?”
“Because it is what MistyTrail and I are going to sail through the Gates of Elvangar tomorrow,” he replied enthusiastically. “What we arrive on will be confiscated by the elders as part of our punishment. Why give up the scout ship when we can offer up an old raft?”
“And we can moor the scout ship here at Alamanda,” Eltor nodded excitedly. “That is brilliant. When our punishments have been fulfilled, we will find the ship here and claim it.”
“Exactly,” nodded Caldal.
“Won’t someone else discover it in the meantime?” asked Mistake.
“I don’t think so,” answered Eltor as he pointed along the beach. “Down there is the outlet of a small river. We can drag the ship up the river and hide it in the jungle foliage. No one will ever find it unless they know where to look. It will still be there when we want it.”
The four adventurers talked for a couple of hours while the sun disappeared and the stars came out. They slept on the beach and woke with the first rays of dawn. Eltor and Caldal walked the elven scout ship along the beach and disappeared into the jungle. MistyTrail stared at the old raft with disdain.
“Having second thoughts?” chuckled Mistake.
“I have seen better rafts in ponds,” frowned MistyTrail. “The people who built it were not very skilled in woodworking. I wonder which trip will be more dangerous?”
“I imagine that they will both be interesting,” replied Mistake. “I think it is important for each of them do as they wish. Don’t worry, sister, we will be together again tomorrow.”
MistyTrail sniffed and hugged Mistake. When Eltor and Caldal returned, MistyTrail broke the embrace and rose. Caldal offered his hand, and MistyTrail took it.
“Tomorrow,” MistyTrail smiled thinly as Caldal led her towards the raft.
Eltor and Mistake watched as the small raft left the harbor and turned along the coast.
“She will be fine,” consoled Eltor. “Let’s get started so we are not late to the village.”
They climbed over the rocks of the ruined city and slid into the jungle. Eltor led the way while Mistake followed several paces behind. The trail was narrow, nothing more than a game trail leading deeper into the jungle. Mist
ake marveled at how much the jungle was like the Qubari Jungle, and yet unlike the jungle on the Island of Darkness. She noticed the same plants and animals as the Qubari Jungle. She soon realized that the jungle was probably created with magic as the Qubari jungle had been. That was the difference. The jungle on the Island of Darkness was probably a natural jungle.
“Are there tyriks in this jungle?” Mistake asked Eltor.
“A few,” nodded Eltor, “but do not worry about them. They do not inhabit this area of the jungle. Wild boars and large cats are the main troubles that we will face. I will be ready for them.”
“And snakes?” asked Mistake as she saw a long, fat snake hanging from a moss covered tree.
“Oh, yeah,” nodded Eltor. “And snakes. I forgot about them. Caldal and I use to play in the jungle when we were younger. It has been some time since we have been through here. After we learned to sail, we spent much time doing that rather than hiking.”
“You played in the jungle as youngsters?” frowned Mistake. “Why?”
“Because it was there,” shrugged Eltor. “There were older kids who protected us, and we never went very far. Whenever we went to the coast, we had a very large group. The animals are not foolish. They avoided the large groups, so we were pretty safe.”
“Is there any chance that you can sneak into your village without getting caught?” Mistake asked after several hours of silent walking.
“None,” Eltor shook his head. “Elvangar is very well protected. It has always been so.”
“Since the attack of Vand,” corrected Mistake.
“Yes,” conceded Eltor, “since Vand. I wish Vand had never lived. I now know that humans and elves once lived in peace. I wish it were still so. The people who raised you are honest decent folks. I think they have much in common with the elves.”
“Well,” replied Mistake, “not actually the people who raised me. They were despicable people. Well, the woman was anyway. The man died when I was young. But I don’t think they were typical of humans. I used to think that they were, but I have learned different since. I imagine the elves are much the same. There must be good and bad elves?”
Elvangar Page 21