by Logan Joss
Ormostrious stroked his beard between finger and thumb. ‘I am working on combining several potions to create something quite potent. I will be able to tell you more, later.’
‘I’m sure whatever Ormostrious is working on will be invaluable,’ Somúlùs added.
‘I can give you no guarantees,’ Ormostrious said carefully. ‘When it comes down to it, it may not be enough. All I can offer you is a fighting chance.’
Somúlùs nodded. ‘Keep me up to date with your plans and let me know if there is anything you need. And boys,’ he said, turning to Trevor and Mèlli, ‘I am forever in your debt. You’ll have to excuse me now though, I’m afraid. I need to meet with my officers.’
Frèuitùs escorted Burtlùs, Freya and the boys out of the parlor and led them up a grand staircase to the first floor. Along a luxuriously carpeted corridor, Frèuitùs showed each of them to a room, which he explained would be their quarters for as long as they were to stay in the palace.
After the events of the last few hectic days, Trevor was relieved finally to have some space to himself. Unlike the bedroom at Burtlùs and Freya's cottage, this chamber was large and high-ceilinged, obviously designed not just to accommodate runians, but also the other races of Ëlamár. There was a generously sized bed topped with plush pillows and blankets, a wash basin and a large, ornately decorated window through which shone the bright morning sun.
On a chair by the side of the bed, Trevor found some clean clothes laid out for him. He gratefully stripped off his filthy clothing and made a half-hearted attempt to wash off the dirt from his hands and face before slumping onto the bed in exhaustion, allowing the blankets to engulf him and lull him into a deep, much-needed sleep.
His eyes sprang open at the sound of a knock at the door.
‘Trevor? Trevor?’ came the sound of Mèlli’s voice.
For a moment, Trevor struggled to get his bearings before realizing where he was. ‘Hang on a minute!’ he said in a slight panic as he jumped up and quickly pulled on the clothes that were laid out for him—a pair of linen pants and a long white tunic. ‘Okay, come in!’
Mèlli opened the door and stood grinning at him, also dressed in a new set of clothes. ‘What were you doing?’ he asked.
‘Uh, nothing much.’
‘Do you want to come and have a look around?’
Trevor would have liked to have gone back to sleep but was also curious to see more of the palace, so he agreed to go with Mèlli. They spent the rest of the morning exploring the huge maze of empty corridors and function rooms. The only people they saw were guards and servants, and Trevor wondered if it was always so empty.
As they crossed a small courtyard past the scullery entrance, a voice called out behind them. ‘Boys! Have you had anything to eat?’ It was Freya. She was helping in the kitchens, clearing up after the enormous task of feeding the new army. ‘There’s some leftover stew on the hearth and some fresh bread if you’d like some,’ she offered.
Trevor and Mèlli gratefully accepted. They sat down at a small table in the corner of the scullery and tucked into their meal hungrily.
‘Where’s Burtlùs?’ Trevor asked between mouthfuls.
‘He’s been made head of one of the maintenance teams,’ Freya explained, brimming with pride. ‘They’re out repairing equipment for the war.’
‘Does that mean he doesn’t have to join the army after all?’
Freya looked thoughtful. ‘No, and for that I’m grateful. But I still worry about him being out there.’ She gazed towards the window, her face paling a little.
‘It’s really quiet here isn’t it?’ Trevor said. ‘I thought there’d be more people in a palace of this size.’
‘Usually, there would be, my dear, but those who haven’t been evacuated have special duties to attend to.’
Once the boys had finished eating, Freya cleared their plates away. ‘I really need to get on with preparing the dinner now,’ she said.
Trevor and Mèlli got up from their seats and stretched their weary bodies.
‘You both look so tired,’ Freya said. ‘Perhaps you should go and get some rest. I’ll come and check on you later.’
Trevor was glad to do as he had been told, but Mèlli was a little reluctant to return to his room.
‘I’m too tired to explore anymore,’ Trevor sighed.
So they both returned to their rooms but, despite his willingness to sleep, Trevor found himself unable. He lay on the bed and watched the bright afternoon light fade to the warm, golden hues of early evening. The events of the last few days filled his head with conflicting emotions and the words that Ormostrious had spoken in the king’s parlor weighed heavily on his mind. He tried to make sense of it all. The very idea of searching for a dragon seemed ridiculous. How could Ormostrious have suggested such a thing? Trevor told himself that he could clear up the misunderstanding and maybe then Ormostrious would be able to help him get home instead.
He sprang out of bed, determined to find him.
Not knowing where to start, he went to the king’s parlor where he had last seen him, but when he arrived the door was open and the room was empty.
‘Have you seen Ormostrious?’ Trevor asked a passing maid.
‘Try the Great Hall,’ she said. ‘I believe that’s where they’re all gathered.’
‘Where’s that?’ he asked, and then set off at a trot in the direction the maid was pointing.
Two guards stood either side of the double doors into the hall. Trevor dithered awkwardly, not sure whether he should knock or whether the guards would open it for him. He waited a moment, but neither of the guards moved.
‘Excuse me,’ he stuttered, ‘but I need to see Ormostrious.’
With a solemn nod, the guards flung open the doors and Trevor stepped forward uneasily. Inside, the huge hall had been converted into a make-shift war room where a group of men dressed in armor stooped around a table covered with maps. They looked up as he entered. The king was there but, to Trevor’s disappointment, there was no sign of Ormostrious.
‘Excuse me, sir, King Somúlùs, uh, I really need to talk to Ormostrious,’ said Trevor, ‘but I can’t find him anywhere.’
‘Can’t you see that the king is very busy?’ barked one of the king’s captains.
‘Silence, Gùstibule, I will speak for myself,’ the king said. ‘Now, I believe Ormostrious is using the West Library to build his weapons. You are most likely to find him there.’ He turned back to the table.
‘Thank you my…your…sir,’ said Trevor, not knowing the correct way to address a king.
Just as Trevor was about to leave, one of the men standing around the table said, ‘If I may, my liege? I believe I saw Ormostrious sitting atop the old astronomy tower above the West Library.’ The man looked expectantly at Trevor.
‘Are you sure?’ the king said.
‘Quite, my liege. He is, after all, very hard to confuse with anyone else.’
‘Yes, indeed.’ King Somúlùs pondered for a moment. ‘I can’t imagine what on Ëlamár would take him up there. But that’s Ormostrious—never where you expect him to be.’
Trevor made his way to the astronomy tower. He had to ask for directions several times, but he eventually found the tall tower, reaching up into the darkening sky. He followed the helix of narrow steps to the top. There, at the end of a short corridor, was a half-open door, through which Trevor could just see the yellow of Ormostrious’ cloak. He strode towards the door, going over in his mind what he would say but, as he took hold of the handle, he stopped dead. He could hear voices. Ormostrious was not alone. Trevor peered around the door to see Mèlli standing beside Ormostrious, who was sitting on the low wall that surrounded the tower’s edge, with his legs hanging over the side. In a fluster, believing he was interrupting a private meeting, Trevor turned and started to go back, but in his rush, caught his sleeve on the door handle, alerting Ormostrious and Mèlli to his presence.
‘I’m sorry, I was just…’ said Trevor,
trying not to look as though he was at all embarrassed. He stood in the doorway, not sure what to do.
Ormostrious handed something to Mèlli, who took it and walked away, passing Trevor in silence, his cheeks glowing red.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…’ Trevor said as Mèlli passed. But the boy did not reply and descended the spiral stairs in silence.
‘Come,’ said Ormostrious, patting the wall beside him. Trevor looked back at the stairs before slowly stepping towards Ormostrious.
‘I was looking for you. I didn’t know Mèlli would be here,’ said Trevor.
Ormostrious patted the wall again. ‘No matter now. Come, tell me what it is that troubles you,’ he said, knowingly.
‘It’s just, well it’s…’ Trevor stumbled over his words.
‘Just tell me what is on your mind. There is no one else here.’
‘It’s just this quest. I can’t go off looking for a dragon. A dragon—it’s crazy. I just need to get home, to my mum. I’ve only been in your world for a few days. I can’t. I can’t.’
‘My world, is it?’ Ormostrious cleared his throat. ‘And what is it about my world that means you cannot be the person you know you are?’
‘What? No, it’s just, I need to get home. And if you knew anything about me, you would know that I’m not the right person to do this.’
‘Oh, and what sort of person is that?’
‘You wouldn’t understand. How could you? Things are so different here. In my world, well, it’s just different that’s all.’
‘Trevor, do you believe in fate, in destiny?’
‘I don’t know. I mean, I’ve never really thought about it. But what’s that got to do with anything?’
‘Have you not considered that your being here in Ëlamár is no accident? That there are forces at play here, bigger than any one of us? Have you considered that your transgressions from your own world can be righted here, in Ëlamár? Have you not considered that your destiny may lie in this world?’ Ormostrious paused, taking a long pipe out from inside his cloak.
‘There’s no such thing as fate or destiny,’ Trevor said. ‘They’re just made up reasons for when something can’t be explained.’
‘Is that so? Do you not see that the only chance to be reunited with your family will come from going on this quest, as you call it?’
‘No. How can it? The glÿmpse is here, in rus, so that’s where I should be, finding how to make it work and going home.’
‘In a few days, rus will face an attack against which it cannot defend itself. The city, the palace and all within it will be lost to Nirikö’s control. That includes the glÿmpse and you as well if you choose to remain here. Now, if you go on this quest, you can achieve two very important goals. All you have to do is believe in yourself, Trevor.’
‘It’s not that. Or maybe it is. Oh, I don’t know. I just don’t see how I can defeat a dragon, let alone get a tear from one. I’m just a boy who knows nothing of this world.’ Trevor turned away, overcome with emotion. ‘I want to help, I really do, but even if we do manage to do what you ask, how will that save rus? How will it make the glÿmpse work and get me home?’
‘You’ll be surprised how one small ripple can be transformed into a wave. How the slightest beating of wings can create a storm. The important thing to understand is that, by doing nothing, nothing can happen. After all, could the events of one cold night be the reason for your being here now, on Ëlamár?’
‘But, how could you know about that?’
Ormostrious reached inside his cloak and pulled out a small velveteen bag. ‘Here, take this. Inside you’ll find some things to help you along your way. Tomorrow, go with Mèlli to the Great Library and help him. You shall go to Borreós together, and together you will find a way. I believe in you, Trevor, and I’m not the only one.’ Ormostrious peered over the top of his glasses. ‘Now all you need to do is believe in yourself.’
Trevor took the bag from Ormostrious.
‘I think I have outstayed my welcome on this spot,’ the old man said, standing up slowly, ‘and there is much to be done. Think about what I have said, Trevor. Your destiny lies in this world.’
Ormostrious walked to the door, but paused and turned back. ‘And in here,’ he said, placing a hand on his chest.
‘Hey wait, you haven’t told me what the two goals are,’ Trevor shouted after him. But he was gone.
Trevor sat still for a few moments with Ormostrious’ words resonating in his head. He pulled the clasp on the drawstring and loosened the top of the bag to peer in. Five shiny objects lay inside. He pondered them for a moment, before snatching the bag up in his hand as he stood and made for the door.
Back in his quarters, Trevor sat on his bed and poured out the contents of the bag. The five items tumbled onto the covers, clinking as they fell. He picked up each item in turn and examined it with curiosity.
One was a round white metal object that appeared on the outside like a pocket watch and on the inside like a needle-less compass. Another was a dainty clear crystal vial with a silver top. The next was a small square box with a hinged lid, which Trevor opened carefully to reveal a pungent yellow paste that made his eyes water. Then there was an icosahedral brass pendant hanging from a leather cord. Suspended between its triangular faces was a gleaming fragment the size of a grain of sand. The last object was a coin with strange markings on one side. It seemed to be a kind of writing unlike any Trevor had seen since his arrival on Ëlamár. He looked at all the objects for a moment and then returned them to the bag.
Overcome by weariness once more, he lay back on the pillows and allowed his thoughts to lead him gently to sleep, where strange objects and fearsome dragons filled his dreams.
18
The Great Library
AS IT ESCAPED the grip of the horizon, the new day’s sun shone like a jewel in the early morning. The ghostly image of the two converging moons, Telerón and Phaèlia, were like scars on an otherwise unblemished blue sky. It was a crisp, cold morning, uncharacteristic of spring—a chill that was echoed within the palace walls. Those who had chosen to remain worked quietly, the fear that they held for the imminent threat showing in the lines of their faces.
The heavy silence was at last broken by the synchronized sound of marching feet as King Somúlùs, escorted by a small unit of the royal guard, made his way to the parade ground. Now that the preparations for war were in place, he finally had the opportunity to address his people personally.
A sea of faces, wide-eyed and fearful, watched with apprehension as their king took to the rostrum. Somúlùs gazed upon the crowd, his heart heavy with guilt. The army before him, so hastily cobbled together, fell far short of what he had hoped for—four thousand at best. Men and boys stood alongside each other, clad in makeshift armor, some holding only farm implements in place of swords.
King Somúlùs took a deep breath and fought back the despair that was welling inside him. He questioned his own morality, as these people would be paying the price for his own shortsightedness. Not one of them deserved the fate that awaited them at the hands of the encroaching enemy. The dead army, once just like them, would now destroy them, without question, without mercy.
‘People of runia, as you are all now aware, I stand here before you in the gravest of circumstances,’ the king began. ‘I’m sure that you are all questioning why you were so hastily drafted. Many of you will have heard the rumors that Nirikö’s army is but days away. It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm these rumors to be true.’ A wave of gasps flew across the parade ground as the reality of the situation hit every man and boy. ‘This is the greatest challenge ever to befall runia and perhaps the whole of Ëlamár. None of us would choose this path, but the duty to protect our families, our homes, our livelihoods, ends with us.’ Hushed whispers rippled through the crowd, punctuated by shouts of support. ‘I know many of you were dragged from your homes like common thieves. For that, I apologize, but the circumstances left me with very little
choice. I can assure you that your wives and children have been evacuated from the city and, for now, are safe.’ Sighs of relief could be heard, and yet some wept in the realization that they had seen their families for the last time.
King Somúlùs drew himself up tall. ‘I see it in your faces—what difference can our meager strength make against Nirikö’s formidable army? How can we protect the city walls against the powerful magic he wields? How can we defeat an enemy that fights without a cause?
‘I’ll tell you how! Because we fight not just for our lives but for everything we hold dear. Because these city walls have withstood the test of time and will continue to stand strong in the face of adversity. And because, although we are few, we have the element of surprise.
‘Nirikö expects to find us tending to our land, playing with our children, sleeping in our beds. But instead, he will find us ready to resist. He will find us united, and he will find himself defeated. Let’s take the battle to him! What say you?’ King Somúlùs drew his sword and lifted it high in the air and, with this, the crowd cheered and applauded.
Meanwhile, Trevor and Mèlli were preparing to leave the protection of the palace to head for rus’ Great Library. Mèlli seemed very enthusiastic about gathering information for their expedition. Uncharacteristically so, Trevor thought. But as everyone else was preparing for war, he felt glad to be doing something productive, despite still being extremely skeptical about the whole dragon’s tear thing.
It took four guards to lift off the heavy brace and push open the small wicket door that was cut into the south gate through the palace wall. Mèlli eagerly led the way out into the town beyond the palace. The cobbled streets, which had been teeming with people only days before, were now eerily silent. Brightly colored yurts flapped in the breeze, now abandoned and empty. Even the sounds of nature had vanished. Just one lone bird circled overhead—a straggler perhaps in the migrations that seemed to have pulled all sentient beings away from this place. The ghost town that remained, a mere shadow of the once vibrant city, served as a reminder of the fate that awaited its people.