by Tom Rogal
The mage captain was a little upset that they made an Elf Eye travel with them on the return home. They were told it was a requirement for any vessel leaving an elvish site that one travels with them, but it also was to ensure a safe trip home. Neeza thought it was perhaps because Vindimar didn’t fully trust them. The two races may never fully get along, but he did respect them. He was so blinded by trying to save his wife that he forgot and pushed aside the only piece of her that truly mattered.
The students were all conversing while Neeza stood by Mimerck. The Elf Eye, named Firamos, stood over near the mage captain, making him feel uncomfortable. Yet, he could understand why. Mimerck cared most about gold and riches due to his profession. When that was what mattered most, one usually had to keep a watchful eye. Still, he learned to respect their captain’s ability and even if he was loyal to the coin only, at the very least they found a good sailor they can call upon.
Mimerck yelled, “Would you stop staring at me! It makes me feel naked!”
Firamos answered, “That’s the point.”
Neeza intervened, “Firamos, may I just have a private word with Mimerck? After that you can continue making him as unpleasant as you wish. I have no doubt he earned it.”
Firamos, who was appointed by Arionn, nodded to him and walked to the other side of the ship until Neeza was finished. Mimerck seemed relieved just to be away from the elf, even if it was only going to be for a few moments.
“I guess I should thank you, even if this is only temporary. But come on! What did I do to deserve him?”
Both mages laughed as Neeza replied, “Nothing I know of, but I’m sure there has been some event you wondered if you would regret it later. Consider this as your payback.”
Mimerck commented, “Well, when you put it that way, this is making up for a lot of miscues of mine.”
Neeza decided to get to the point, “I’m sorry you didn’t find your riches. I know that was one of the reasons that drove you to volunteer for this journey. I am grateful that you agreed to captain us here.”
Mimerck smiled and said, “Let’s just say that I learned that gold . . . is a fickle thing. That and there is always someone out there who wants it more than you ever could. Besides, you’re still paying me on our return, so not a wasted trip at all. I have regretted many things in my life. This is not one of them. If you ever need a captain again, Your Highness, you know where to find me.”
Neeza smiled and turned around, but not before hearing Mimerck yell, “Get back over here, elf! I miss your eyes piercing my soul every minute of the day already!”
That was the Mimerck he knew and . . . well, appreciated. Neeza went to join the students as they sat in a circle near the bow of the boat.
Neeza asked, “So, what have you been talking about?”
Haldirin stood up and said, “Well, they wanted to tell you something. I need to check some things with Mimerck.”
As he left, Dyenarus stood up. She had already been chosen to be the group voice for their party, giving him much proof of his decision to give her the highest endorsement. She not only stood up, but confidently and with conviction. He was so proud of her.
She said, “We all wanted to thank you for taking us on this adventure. I know you doubted us in the beginning. I’m sure most of us doubted ourselves when we stepped on this boat the first time. But this allowed us to grow like no other exercise in a classroom or words in a tome ever could. You did as you said, you got us home, and I guarantee that none of us are returning from this journey the same person.”
Neeza tried to say, “But Biverin . . . and we aren’t coming back with the Relic.”
“Biverin died for something he believed in. He didn’t believe in the mission. He believed in us, in you. We would have all died for each other as you were willing to die for us. We couldn’t ask for much more from our leader.”
Lindaris stood up and said, “I know I haven’t been the easiest to deal with here. I can be snobby, unwilling to listen to others . . .” Dyenarus elbowed him as he paused, “Yeah, I’m getting to that. And I have issues thinking I’m better than others, but this trip has showed me that as I high as I think myself, I still have a lot of room to grow. Thank you, Honorable Neeza.”
Condarin and Vindar stood up next as she said, “I will admit, I did doubt my abilities when I came here. Vindar helped me much along the way, but I didn’t start putting faith in my abilities and pushing myself to the limits until I came here. My teachers are going to be surprised that the once reserved girl they knew died out there on Mount Hrithgorn and was replaced by a better mage. Thank you, Honorable Neeza.”
Neeza added, “I should be the one thanking you. If not for your willingness to try something you may have felt you couldn’t do, I wouldn’t be here today.”
As each and every student gave their heart-felt reason for thanking him, his memories were coming back to him and why he had started the mission in the first place. He had lied to them since day one and for the first time, that guilt was eating at him. He had to come clean. No more lies. They weren’t the only ones that changed on Mount Hrithgorn.
As the last student finished, Neeza said, “Thank you, all of you. I do appreciate your gratitude. I must say more about why . . . “
Dyenarus stopped him and said, “Why we went is unimportant now. What we came back with is all that matters.”
She was right. He still felt bad that they wouldn’t know the real reason about why he wanted the Relic, but he should stop looking at the past. The past is what got him in this predicament in the first place. It was going to be easy for Haldirin to let go. Inno was going to be another story. He was certain his friend and messenger would be there to help him. He patted Dyenarus on the shoulder and went to join Haldirin.
Lindaris walked up to Dyenarus and said, “Look, about that kiss and everything. I know how you are just pining to go out with me, but I think I have someone back home who will be impressed how much I’ve changed. I just wanted to let you down easy and not string you out. Still friends?”
Dyenarus almost laughed as he hit the sarcasm to a whole new level. She was happy for him. It seemed small, but he had changed the most, just behind Condarin. Haldirin was also right, if things had been different, perhaps her and Lindaris might have worked. But she knew, as he just realized, that their futures went down different paths. She shook his extended hand.
“Friends. And to a lifetime of annoying each other.”
Both laughed as Neeza reached Haldirin, who was looking toward the east and home.
“Well, Haldirin, looks like we survived another adventure together.”
“Indeed. To be honest, I think I’m going to need a break after this one.”
Neeza commented, “Trust me. If I can, this will be the last great journey I take for a very long time.”
The moons were beginning to show apart from the setting sun to the west. They were still a few days away, but he couldn’t wait to get home. Primarily, he wanted to see Divi. He had begun to realize how much he had wronged her over the years. No one deserved that, especially from their own father. Then again, that prophecy he received from a soothsayer didn’t help matters either. Regardless, things were going to change when they got back.
Haldirin asked, “What are you going to tell the council about what happened?”
He did have some explaining to do, that was for sure. He was quite certain the teachers would come to him on fire once they learned they went to Mount Hrithgorn. They may have already known because Sydis had found out some way. It was something he wouldn’t worry about until they got to that bridge.
Neeza answered, “I’m going to tell them the truth. No use hiding behind a lie anymore. We shall see.”
They continued to watch as the boat steadily made its way back east.
**************
“Are the mages on their way?”
Arionn confirmed, “Yes, Firamos tells me that none of them desire to return and try and claim the Relic. It s
eems we reached them in time.”
Vindimar was joined by the chancellor, an elf named Gornimos, Arionn, Killiam and Hortimus, their twin captains, and Bargalmos, their head of the guard. The throne room was beginning to show signs of the darkness of night as they lit as many torches as necessary. Now that the mages had departed, they could talk freely. Neeza had attempted to listen in to their conversations after their meeting, so he couldn’t say much until they were gone.
Arionn added, “That was quite an entertaining story about the origin of Valendri’s Relic for it being a false one. We are still trying to figure out who built and put the Coffin there, in addition to what its ultimate purpose is. We don’t even know if it belongs to Valendri. He remains quite silent on the matter. All we know is that it’s a tool of evil.”
Vindimar commented, “Not all of us are as skilled as you are by telling the truth to influence others. It was necessary. At least I was truthful about the Valendritaii. Now, what to do about the Coffin?”
Gornimos said, “It cannot stay here. It might do the same to us as it did the residents of Mount Hrithgorn.”
Bargalmos replied, “I say we take it back to Hrithgorn. It took extraordinary circumstances for it to be retrieved. I doubt anyone will be coming close to it again.”
Arionn added, “We put it back there, more will go after it. It might even urge the Ettui to once again try and acquire it.”
The Ettui. That was one of the most chilling revelations about what transpired on the Simorgan Chain. For generations they had been held strictly to the Barbatan continent after the Ettui Island Wars, only making any real offensive when they decided to take an army by boat to Fort Za. They had been trying for a long time to re-establish colonies elsewhere, making the remaining island fortresses a must for the elves. As far as they knew, they had yet to accomplish this.
Vindimar said, “That is the other troubling news. Not that the Ettui were involved. Arionn foresaw that they might try and acquire the Relic once its power began to expand. What is concerning is we don’t know where they came from. Hortimus, you are certain that Fort Za saw nothing?”
“Quite. They noticed the mages sail past from a great distance, but nothing more.”
Killiam suggested, “They must have a colony somewhere up north, but where? There are far less land masses that way than there are to the south. Our last northern fort, Fort Ghiiverlan, has reported no changes to the old Ettui stronghold, Dhallik val-Ghull.”
Arionn said, “This is truly disturbing news. I will ponder on this when I return home. We must find out where they came from. If they have been able to hide from our sight, then there might be a darker power involved.”
Vindimar didn’t like the sound of that. The Ettui were formidable enough when their enemy knew they were coming. If they were in the dark about the Ettui's plans, that put them at a huge disadvantage.
“Arionn is right. Let him focus on the Ettui situation for the time being. Now, for the Relic. We all agree that its timing has been strange. It has done this before, but not so powerful that it could be felt on the mainland. These are odd times indeed. Arionn has warned that an ominous darkness was growing stronger. If acquiring this Relic is part of that, we must find a safe place where no one would think of looking. Is there any place on the mainland that might be safe?”
Gornimos, as he was most familiar with the mainland being a chancellor to the elvish people, said, “I would avoid the mage lands for obvious reasons. I don’t think the Human realms would be any better. Rudann and Garlock, two nations struggling for acceptance and power, might try and use it if they could acquire it. Cordcan lands are too populated. There would be no place for it to go. If I may suggest, what about Dyyros? It has many unpopulated areas and their ruler, Lord Ulcinar, has re-established some order since he overthrew the ruling kingdom there.”
Arionn was the first and only to answer because there was no reason to question his logic, “I would avoid there too. I have felt a different kind of darkness coming from there. Ever since this governmental transition from king to dictator occurred, a strange shadow has been coming from that direction.”
Gornimos asked, “Then where? The Dragonians would never agree, and quite frankly, I would fear what the Relic would do to our dragon friends.”
Vindimar saw only one way to rid it from here and safe enough to where no one could realistically retrieve it.
“Someone will take one of our weakest ships, go out to the deepest waters they can find and sink it with the Coffin aboard. Let Nighalmais do the deed. He is more seasoned on the seas than most of our kind. Be sure he secures the amulet to it. It will block the Relic’s power and be out of the way. With any luck, the pressure will destroy it once and for all since the hottest fires don't seem to work.”
The elves nodded and left except for Arionn and Vindimar. There must have been something still on Arionn's mind if he stayed. He knew the leader of his people well. If he waited around, it meant that he withheld information . . . information he wanted to keep private.
Vindimar asked, “What is it that still troubles you?”
Arionn explained, “The way of the world is bothering me. A dark storm is coming and I don’t think we are ready for it.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much. We’ll most likely find these Ettui were part of a pack that found a way to migrate north, and in an attempt to gain some kind of advantage, tried to acquire the Relic,” said Vindimar.
Vindimar stood up and walked out, leaving Arionn alone. Now it was like he was at home in the Forbidden Forest. It’s how he did his best work. He began to recall his interviews with each of the students prior to this one, heeding particular attention to the one he had with Dyenarus. She told him many interesting things about their journey, just as he learned many interesting things about her. As he paced, he began to speak aloud, realizing more things.
“The magic involved here; that is another distressing revelation. For the humans to be consumed by strong magic is quite common. Mages and elves have a unique bond with magic, making them difficult to corrupt. We can sense when something is wrong and move away from it. From the way Dyenarus explained it to me, the change happened almost instantly, attracting them instead. What power does this Coffin have that it can turn one so sensitive to the life particles just as fast as it would a human? It is truly frightening.”
Arionn began to wish that Vindimar’s conclusion was the case, but everything in his gut was telling him otherwise. The fall of the Aranian kingdom, the rise of its cruel dictator, the section of the woods to the north that was suddenly hit by plague, the calling of the Relic from Mount Hrithgorn, and the increased actions or movements of the Ettui, were all happening for a reason. If these were natural, he wouldn’t show any mind. But there were some unnatural things happening here being directed by some puppeteer and they all were the puppets putting on the show.
Arionn said before he walked out of the empty throne room, “I pray you are right. If you are wrong, I pray that we are ready.”
16
The mages arrived at the Myyrilian docks on the fourth day since they left Hiierland. It was quite an uneventful trip considering the storm they ran into on the way to Mount Hrithgorn. Regardless, they returned to the mage capital near midday when the sun was at its hottest.
As Neeza stood at the front of the ship, he couldn’t see anyone waiting on the dock, which surprised him. He knew Firamos contacted the most powerful mage when they were nearby because Myyril didn’t have an Elf Eye present in the city. That mage was none other than Sydis. He was expecting him to at least be there. Yet, there was no one but the minimal staff of dock hands to help with anchoring the ship. At least he didn’t have to deal with any of the political mayhem this may have caused the moment he got off the boat.
He took a deep breath and exhaled. It was good to be home! Yes, a part of him would always love the adventures and the excitement they brought. But as Dyenarus and Condarin had said, their old selves died up there in Mount
Hrithgorn. That adventurer’s spirit in him was slowly beginning to dwindle and lose its sparkle. Arionn was right. He had everything he wanted here in Myyril. He had his comfortable lifestyle, he had his job, and most importantly . . . he had Divi. He resolved to no longer be distracted by false hopes. His wife was always going to be gone, but she was still alive in his daughter.
It took nearly twenty minutes, but finally Sydis and a small group of the council came marching down the path. None of them were heads of the Schools of Magic as he noticed. Only the elected members accompanied him as they made their way to their leader. These men and women he had some influence over. The school heads would be more difficult for him to persuade. He also couldn’t miss the couple members of the Kittara alongside of him. Where the right hand went, the left hand followed.
Haldirin asked, “Do you want me by your side?”
Neeza said, “No, I’ll be all right. Find Biverin’s family and offer them our deepest condolences. I will be sure that financially they will be compensated for their loss, and they will be welcome anytime they want in my home. I’ll see you when you return.”
“I will tell stories of his bravery so that they remember the man that we knew, and not the one they might remember,” said Haldirin.
Haldirin left moments before Sydis and the others arrived, “Welcome back home, Honorable Neeza. When you failed to return in the time you allotted, we feared the worst. Did you find what you were looking for in Mount Hrithgorn?”
Neeza looked back to see the smiling students as they disembarked from the ship, gathering whatever supplies they had left. Did he get what he originally came to find? No, the Relic was long gone if his theory was correct. What he did find in its place, however, was worth more than ten Relics.
Neeza replied, “Yes and no, Honorable Sydis. I have no regrets for going. I’m certain the teachers at their respective schools will have no complaints either.”
Sydis asked, “Who is getting your endorsement? It must be recorded properly so the ceremony can take place with haste.”