by Lana Axe
“Perhaps this sorcerer thought he was powerful enough to bind the essence of an elf. It is a harder task than binding a human, and it appears that he did not succeed.” River handed the gem back to Aelryk.
“How do you know?” he asked.
“If there was an essence within the stone, I would be able to communicate with it.” River's face was solemn. “Your friend's spirit was not bound. She is free.”
“Then let's be off,” Aelryk said, sounding relieved. The two of them headed for the bank of the river. Tied to a low tree stump was a long wooden canoe with a scrolling leaf pattern etched into its sides. They stepped inside it, and River extended a hand over the water. The boat began to move forward and flowed smoothly with the swift current toward its destination.
Along the way, Aelryk marveled at the sights of the Vale. The forests were in full bloom, and the sweet fragrance of flowers drifted through the air. Snow-white egrets feasted on fish at the river's edge while swallows darted this way and that to catch tiny insects. A symphony of birdsong provided a subtle but pleasing ambiance.
Time passed very quickly as their boat sped on. Aelryk could tell they had exited the Vale when the heat of the summer began to press down on him once more. The air became thicker, and the forest seemed a little less alive. Fewer birds were singing, and the undergrowth was less disrupted by the movements of tiny, unseen creatures.
River brought the boat to a halt and neared the bank. He climbed out onto the land and tied the canoe to a small tree at the water's edge. Aelryk followed, and together they made their way through the forest.
“It's not much farther,” River said. He pointed to a spot above the trees where a tall stone tower was visible in the distance.
A few miles into their walk, a beam of firelight over six feet tall flashed in front of them. When the fire faded away, an elf stood before them. He had long white hair, sun-kissed skin, and bright blue eyes. His face was ageless and very handsome. Aelryk could feel the magical power radiating from this person and knew it could only be Telorithan.
“So you've finally come to subdue me,” Telorithan said to River.
“That isn't possible,” River replied casually. “The two of us would only make steam.”
Telorithan laughed and said, “Then you have no desire to free the elemental? Perhaps you do not love your fiery brother.”
“Perhaps fire is vain and needs to learn his lesson,” River replied.
Telorithan laughed again. “Why have you come here, and who is this person?” He gave Aelryk a quick up and down look. Clearly, he did not see the king as a threat.
“This is my friend King Aelryk of Na'zora. His kingdom has encountered some trouble, and we hoped you might know its source.”
“My people have been attacked and their souls combined with those of animals,” Aelryk said.
“It takes very little skill to bind the essence of a human. Your spirits are weak, and your minds are easily controlled. Combining it with an animal is just a fun way of creating a new pet that obeys your every command.”
“Are you the one creating these monsters?” Aelryk asked directly.
“No,” Telorithan replied, “and I am insulted that you would suspect me. If I wanted your petty kingdom, I would have it. Creating monsters is beneath me, and I have no need of humans as a source of power.” He spat on the ground at Aelryk's feet.
“Do you have any idea who might be behind this?” Aelryk asked boldly.
“I do not. I have neither seen nor heard anything.”
“We will be on our way, then,” River said. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.”
Telorithan glared in response. Just as the pair began to walk away, River turned and said, “I will come here someday and ask you to release the elemental, but you will refuse.”
“Of course I will,” he replied.
“I will not be coming alone,” River said, and he turned and headed back to his boat.
“How do you know he was telling the truth?” Aelryk asked.
“If he were lying, I would have sensed it,” River said. “There was no deception coming from him. He is not the one responsible for the attacks.”
The journey up the river was quite smooth despite the strong current. River stopped the boat a few miles away from the village and bid Aelryk to disembark. “We can pick up our friend Mel,” River said.
They journeyed a mile into the woods and came to the same clearing where River had left Mel that morning. Mel was seated on the ground with his legs crossed and his hands resting on his knees.
“How was your first lesson?” River asked, breaking the silence.
“Insightful,” Mel replied, his green eyes flashing vibrantly. “It begins with the most difficult of simple tasks. Open your heart to the sounds of the forest.”
River smiled and nodded. “Once you have accomplished that, you will perform feats of magic you never thought you could.”
“I never thought I'd perform any magic at all,” Mel replied. “They have also taught me to summon the dryads in the Forests of Viera. They will help me in my training.”
“I have never seen any dryads near Na'zora,” Aelryk said.
“They are present in every forest,” River said. “You've just lost the ability to see them. It takes a special bond with the forest to see into the hearts of trees. Without the dryads, the forests would be gone forever.”
Sunset was near as the trio set their feet toward the elven village. The sky was quickly filling with shades of pink and purple, and the dragonflies were buzzing through the air. As they neared River's home Aelryk asked, “When can we set out for Na'zora? I wish to put an end to the evil plaguing my people as quickly as possible.”
“I can be ready to leave in two days time,” River replied. “I think you will find that time passes a bit more slowly here in the Vale than elsewhere. Your people will risk no greater danger if we stay another day.”
Aelryk nodded and headed inside. His heart was hopeful that River could truly bring an end to the attacks and save his people from a great war . He was bringing back the river from the land of spring and fulfilling the prophecy.
Chapter 29
As the sun broke over the horizon of the Vale, Mel had already made his way back to the clearing where the dryads dwell. The dark of the forest had not posed much challenge for him. With his gift awakening, he could sense the placement of the trees and any other obstacles that were in his path. He had stumbled only once when he strained to see with his eyes instead of with his mind. It took very little to break his concentration, but the dryads had told him that would mend with practice.
He sat at the center of the clearing, meditating deeply. Deep within himself was a small spark. If he could reach it, he could begin to practice his earth magic. For now, finding that spark was difficult. With time, he hoped he would improve. The dryads had said eventually he could do it without even thinking about it. He wasn't sure he would ever get to that point, but he was willing to try. His world had been turned upside down when his mate died, and he longed for a distraction from his grief.
Focusing all of his thoughts inward and breathing deeply, he reached within his own essence. After several minutes, he found what he was looking for. He opened his green eyes, and they flashed with magical intensity. He looked directly at the tree far to his left, and out stepped a silver dryad.
“You are improving quickly, young Mel,” she said. She came forward and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Come with me,” she said. She led him to the site of the attack on one of her sisters. “Can you feel what has happened here?”
“No,” he replied.
“That's because you are only seeing with your eyes and hearing with your ears. What does your heart tell you?”
Mel closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. Instinctively, he knelt low to the ground and placed an ear close to the forest floor. A moment of silence passed before he sat up and looked at the dryad.
“I see one of t
he wolfbeasts,” he began. “I see a dryad being attacked. She did not survive.” He bowed his head in reverence.
“Do you see the damage the beast has done to these trees? We have not yet repaired them, as they were in mourning for our fallen sister. The time has now come to heal them and bring them from their sorrow.”
“I don't know how,” he said.
“Focus with your heart, and the magic will come.”
He moved to the nearest tree and inspected the wounds on its bark. He placed a hand on the wound, bowed his head, and closed his eyes. Nothing happened. Taking a deep breath, he again tried to focus, but still nothing happened. He looked up at the dryad, who was standing patiently at his side.
“I don't know what to do,” he admitted.
“Let's sit a while,” she replied. Taking his hand, she led him a few steps away from the tree. Together they sat cross-legged on the forest floor.
Mel placed his head in his hands, seemingly defeated. His eyes filled with tears. The dryad placed her delicate hand on his back and said, “It's alright, young Mel. You need to allow your sorrow to flow. You have lost that which is most dear to you, and that wound does not heal overnight.”
“Will it ever heal?” he asked.
“You will carry it forever, but it will become easier to bear. You will think of her every day, but it will not always induce tears. Love is a deep emotion, and you can use it to help channel your magic.”
Taking her words to heart, he closed his eyes once again and began to breathe deeply. His eyes still shut, he moved to one of the wounded trees. Placing both hands on the wound, he focused his mind to healing the tree. A green glow emitted from his hands. Opening his eyes, he watched as the bark on the tree began to repair. Once it was intact, he removed his hands. He stared wide-eyed at the freshly mended tree.
“Very good, young Mel,” the silver dryad said. “You are welcome to heal the others as well.”
He repeated the same procedure to heal the five other trees that had been affected during the struggle. When he had finished, he felt light-headed and nearly fell to the ground. Just barely catching himself, he managed to sit softly on the grass.
“The fatigue you are experiencing is your power draining,” the dryad said. “That too will change with time. Your magical reserve is low right now, but eventually it will improve. With rest, you will regenerate more quickly each time.”
“Does this make me a sorcerer?” he asked.
“You would have to study many different schools of magic for that title to apply. If you stay only with earth magic, you are a shaman.”
“I have no desire to learn from the other schools,” he replied. “I only want to protect my home in the forest. Maybe I could lead my people back to the old ways when nature was truly revered.”
“That is a very noble ambition, young Mel. You have a powerful gift that will aid you in such a task.”
Mel ascended into the branches of one of the recently healed trees. “I think I'll rest here a while,” Mel said.
“Take all the time you need,” the dryad replied. She nestled herself within the hollow of a tree opposite Mel. He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, soothed by the tranquility of the forest.
A few hours later he awoke with a start. He was drenched in sweat, and his mind was racing. A vision had come to him of the Forests of Viera. He watched as his village was raided by a dark sorcerer and his minions. Many of his clansmen lay dead, and some of them had been carried away towards Al'marr. In a panic, Mel ran to the sleeping dryad.
“The vision, is it true?” he asked frantically.
“It is, but it has not yet come to pass,” she replied. “If you hurry, you may still be able to assist.”
Without a word, he turned and ran as quickly as possible back to the elven village. He had spent many hours in the forest that day, and the light was already beginning to fade. He hoped River and the king would travel with him, but if not he would travel alone.
Bursting through the doors of River's home, he came first upon Mi'tal. “My village is going to be attacked,” he cried, breathing heavily. “We must go and help them.”
“We must tell the king,” Mi'tal replied.
Aelryk was seated at dinner with River and his family. “You've decided to join us for dinner?” River asked.
“No, my lord,” Mi'tal said. “There is an urgent matter to discuss.”
“I have had a vision,” Mel began. “My village was under attack. The dryad told me I might still be able to help.”
“Then we must leave at first light,” Aelryk said.
“I will bring my troops,” Isandra chimed in.
“This will be no place for a lady,” Aelryk replied.
“Just try to stop her,” River said. “She is a warrior at heart, and she will not be left behind.”
“Very well, then,” Aelryk said. “She is your daughter, and you know her far better than I.”
“My troops will remain here,” Rogin said. “Otherwise there will be no one to protect the Vale, especially if father is going with you.”
“Yes, Rogin, you should remain here,” River said. “See that our horses are prepared at dawn and waiting for us at the riverbank.”
“I will, father,” Rogin said.
“It seems the road to Na'zora will be a bit longer than expected,” River said to Aelryk. They continued their meal in silence as each of them pondered the events to come.
When it was time to retire, River took Lenora by the hand and walked beside her to their chamber. “It seems I will be leaving you for a time, my love,” he said.
“Just be sure you come back to me soon,” she replied.
“I will return to you, my love,” he said.
They embraced, and he pressed his wife close to his heart. His passion for her was undiminished despite centuries of marriage. She was his soul mate, his light, and his world. They made love long into the night before succumbing to fatigue in each other's arms. The night was silent as the stars closed their eyes, leaving the Vale in darkness.
Chapter 30
As a pale pink dawn broke over the Vale, River hastened his morning ritual. He could not leave without a blessing from the Spirit of the river. Lenora waited on the bank as always, but today her mood was melancholy. Having received the Spirit's blessing, River returned to her. She helped him don a blue and silver robe which she had crafted for him herself.
“I will miss you,” she said.
“And I you, my love,” he replied.
He took her arm, and together they headed down the bank to meet the others. Alyra came bounding towards her parents, a small gray bag clutched in her hand. “These are for you, Adda,” she said, handing the bag to River.
He peered inside and saw a pile of almonds. “To remind you of home,” she added.
“Thank you, sweet child,” he said. He knelt down and clutched her tightly in his arms. Releasing her, he added, “You must take good care of your mother while I'm away.”
“I promise,” she said.
Magister Utric walked slowly toward the meeting spot near the bank. “Your majesty,” he called to the king. “I request your permission to stay here in the Vale. I am too old to assist in battle, and I would very much like to continue writing my accounts of these marvelous elves.”
“Permission granted,” said Aelryk. “You will be greatly missed at court. When travel is safe again, I will send a party here to collect your writings. You are most welcome to return at any time you wish.”
“Thank you, your majesty,” he replied. “I bid you safe travel.” He bowed and returned up the bank to the village.
“We are all assembled then,” Aelryk said. His own party was joined by Isandra and ten warriors of the Vale. “I don't see any boats to take us across the river.”
“Today you will not need them,” River said. “You may walk across.”
Aelryk glanced back at the water which still appeared to be quite deep. He looked again at River, who smile
d and said, “Trust me.”
River and Lenora embraced one last time. “Safe journey, my River,” she said. He kissed her lips and caressed her face with his hand. Tears filled her eyes as he turned to leave, and she clutched Alyra tightly to her side.
Approaching his horse, a dapple gray stallion with a silver mane, he brushed a hand along its neck. He led the horse across the river as if it were no more than a few inches deep. The rest of his party followed suit, and within minutes, the entire group stood safely on the east bank.
Isandra rode to the front to speak with her father. “Two of my scouts will ride ahead and check for signs of trouble.”
“All will be well, Isandra,” River said. “I have seen our road.”
“Things can change in an instant, Father. It's best to proceed with caution.”
“If you insist,” he said. “We must travel with all speed.”
Mel touched the side of his horse's face. His eyes flashed with green as he tried to convey the need for haste to his steed. The horse whinnied and patted the ground with one hoof. The other horses responded likewise, and the party set off at a thunderous pace.
The forests rushed past as they raced southeast towards Mel's home. As they traveled, a clear path opened up before them. Mel was taking advantage of every bit of skill he had learned in his very short time as a shaman. His desperation to save his clan gave strength to his powers. The scouts had proven unnecessary, as Mel could sense every creature within their path.
They did not pause until late afternoon. There were no signs of water near their campsite, but the horses were tired as were their riders.
“This will just have to do,” Mel said. “There are no creeks or lakes within several miles of us.”
“The horses need to drink,” General Morek said.
“That won't be a problem,” River said. He waved a hand over the ground in a circular motion. Water began to pool from the ground until it erupted into a fountain. The horses walked forward one by one to satisfy their thirst.