by Reja Emran
“Queen Sinardin, Cyrillon has dressed my wound. I do not require more medicines and do not ask for it. I may help with this girl if you wish.” Aniah felt sorry for the young girl for she was suffering from the common fever although now it was no insignificant disease. It usually caused death if not contained immediately.
“No…my dear, you must rest. You are weak.” Sinardin sent for a healer who arrived promptly and urged Aniah to go with the lady dressed in green. The latter reluctantly followed the Elentian healer to her room with a backward glance at the now screaming woman who threw off the thick blankets and flailed her arms in a wild craze.
“Eurofir and Cyrillon, both of you must complete your sleep as fatigue is conquering your senses.” Luminon eyed the two who were struggling against the overwhelming slumber, “We will see you in the morning.”
“Yes Father.” Cyrillon embraced Luminon and the latter beamed at the man who had he had raised from a tender age.
The friends departed discussing the behavior of that lone peddler leaving the elders to engage in their own conversation. “We must reveal the truth to Cyrillon. The time has come.” Sinardin looked at her husband, her eyes downcast with sadness and then she hurried to the young girl followed by Luminon.
“We shall inform him tomorrow as the Collin family will tell Eurofir as well,” replied King Luminon dejectedly, gazing at the fading figures of the two friends. “I would have had this secret buried with my death but soon he will need to journey to his own lands. In the oncoming war Eurofir and Cyrillon will be needed.”
“I just hope Cyrillon understands the truth and forgives us…” Sinardin muttered as she dabbed the girl’s forehead with cold water.
Luminon just sighed and put a hand on the shoulder of his wife, his eyes clouded with grief.
***
Ching sat petrified on the stool studying the emerald and its unique abilities, his eyes transfixed on the symbolic representation at the polished surface. Besides him was a thick pile of ancient, leather bound books and before him were the two sleepy faces of Xia and Julian who grumbled angrily. Four hours had peeled away and now it was late at night, the clock striking twelve. They had been sitting for all that time watching as Ching referred to his library of books. Xia was glad that she only received mild rebuke from her grandfather for not informing her of his discovery for he believed the stone to be the Earth stone but he was not sure. Finally, Ching exclaimed as he pointed to a hand written passage in the margins of an antediluvian book, which he read out aloud.
“Alongside the firestone and the water stone, the King Annox forged another gem called the earth stone. They could easily vanquish evil beings if placed in the Altar of Icarus and could restore peace but at a terrible cost. The minds of creatures would be enslaved to the power.
The elemental stone was formed by positioning the three in the altar and it was a great artifact. However for this ritual the blood of all three guardians was required. Legend tells that the formation of this stone was an evil omen and along eradicating the earth’s creatures, the possessor could gain innumerable powers. For this reason, the mages scattered the stones to the farthest corners of the earth and laid them in trust of the Guardians.”
The two girls ogled at Ching with open mouths and wide eyes. “This is so cool…there is also an earth stone!” exclaimed Xia and glanced excitedly at Julian. “So you were right after all, Grandpa!”
“But isn’t the firestone the main one?” asked Julian, returning Xia’s glance, her heart throbbing with anticipation for the possession of another stone put them at a considerable advantage against the forces of the Sorceress.
“Yes,” answered Ching, “The firestone forms the core of the elemental stone. It is the hardest to obtain as well for it is so heavily guarded.”
“But Aniah said that the water stone was destroyed…” murmured Xia.
“I think there is a greater meaning to the stones than meets our eye. The Elders could have restored it or maybe that was an illusion. All think differently of the fate of the stone. Maybe Aniah did not know of it then.” Ching’s reply was grave as he rummaged through more parched pages of the book. “The place where you found this stone, where is it?”
“It was in a leather bag…near a rock” said Xia, searching her memory by tapping her forehead. “I even saw…”
“Ching, what if it belonged to the Earth Guardian.” Julian interrupted and gazed expectantly at the old man in front of her.
“That is my perception however I am not sure but we will need to recover the firestone.” Ching’s reply was directed to the Annoxonum, “I will ask the council for further information of where we are supposed to search if Raven ever gets back.”
He sighed and the lines on his face grew deeper, revealing his extreme weariness. Xia almost felt sorry for him for she knew he was mainly concerned for her. Ching drew out a small wooden box from his rusty cabinets with a gold inscription on its abrasive surface. He peered inside and then a small smile lit his face as he pulled out a roll of parchment from within. He replaced the papers with the earth stone and locked the container in a rusty cabinet.
“What is the inscription?” asked the young Magicka eyeing the gold lettering consisting of weird shapes and a cross work of lines.
“May it be protected and safe guarded from evil. I brought this box for the firestone long time back and it had come to use now,” answered Ching as he looked through the sheets of parchment, “The carving is in runic script.”
He shoved the parchment to Xia, who narrowed her eyes at it strangely before opening it, her fingers tingling under the coarse surface of the sheet. Her lips parted in surprise as she scanned the elegant writing and then she gave it to Julian, who shared the same surprise as she read it.
Dated 10th century onwards…
900, Month of autumn in the palace of Annox
Great evil is stirring in the dark forests of Tyrendale (Tyrendocramius) though we do not know its source. The raid at the fortress of Nebula was quite unsuccessful for nothing was discovered and we lost a hundred warriors.
It was three years back I forged the three stones and yet I have not kept a record of their powers, legends and the secrets which accompany them. I shall however not disclose the formation of them for that information will die with me lest it falls in the wrong hands. The following are the various powers of these priceless gems forged in the pits of my kingdom.
The firestone, the most powerful of the three, was formed with the sole purpose of utilizing the deadly fire not for destruction but for restoration. It forms the core of the elemental stone, another magical stone which I shall describe later. This stone if not used correctly or with evil intention can easily wipe out the very foundations of the earth.
The water stone can restore life to the dead earth, counter the fire and is also a source of light when all is engulfed in the darkness of ignorance. It is a powerful stone which deals with the water and weather. It can cause the tide of the ocean to rise, create huge waves, create thunderstorms, hurricanes and can change the very fundamentals of the masses of water.
Now, lastly is the earth stone which controls nature and has the power to influence evil creatures to align with the side of truth. However the bearer must have the blood of a predator flowing in their veins to control this enchanted stones powers. It can command earthquakes, violent tremors, landslides, dust storms and the beings of both night and day.
At least now I have explained the true purpose of the stones and maybe in my later journal recordings, I may be able to explain the elemental stone and the swords in which the essence of the stones is bound. It is my earnest wish that the bearers accept their immense responsibility with a good heart and not think of it as a burden of any sort. Especially for the Annoxonum, my selected descendants, they are the Chosen and it is their fate for they are the most able and dependable.
I am laying my pen to rest awhile and shall write again if it is urgent for I no lon
ger possess the strength of my youth to do extensive hours of work.
King Tricarius Annox,
Crystal Kingdom,
83 years and 2 months
Xia crunched her apple piece noisily as Julian finished off the script and then raised an eyebrow at Ching, “So we have the journal of Annox, huh?”
“Yes,” Ching ran his hands over his threadbare robes and twirled his beard, “The High Council has the whole Annox Journal while I possess only a trifle.”
Julian nodded as she took a piece of apple from Xia’s hand. “Very comprehensive this King is. Other entries would be useful though.”
“This king is kind of old…I mean very old. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had got bored of his life and then had made the stones to perk things up.” Xia yawned widely and grinned as Ching gave her a reproving glance as he began to give a comprehensive lecture on respect. Julian looked between the two with amusement, clearly enjoying the grandfatherly talk that was soon to come. Whenever Ching scolded them, they both burst out laughing and he just became more infuriated till he gave up on them completely though at times he was serious.
A knock then distracted them from their conversation and Ching hurried to open the door as Xia got up in surprise at who would come to the cave at this unearthly hour. A small hooded figure floated inside and strode to the fireplace with great haste before Ching could stop it.
“Who are you?” demanded Xia angrily, “And didn’t anyone teach you that it’s rude to enter uninvited?”
The creature lowered the hood and smiled, displaying its pointed fangs stained with fresh blood, which oozed from the corners and dripped on its thin lips. Its angry eyes narrowed menacingly.
“I’ve come to kill you!” It snarled and instantly lunged at Xia, pummeling her into the ground. Ching dashed and drew out his long staff while Julian opened her pocket spell book. However these efforts were futile as both forms of magic did not harm the creature aiming for Xia’s neck. The two spell-casters were pushed back to the wall with incredible force and all they could do was watch with horrified eyes as the creature had possessed control over their limbs.
Xia groaned and clutched the creature’s shoulders pulling it away from her but its strength was amazing for its fragile body. Finally, mustering all her strength, Xia grabbed the kitchen knife which she was using to cut the apple and slashed the beast’s neck. She then did a backward flip all the while clutching at the creature’s long hair and smashed it against the stony cave wall. The creature struggled and snapped its jaws at the Annoxonum. Leveling the knife to throat, Xia whispered ominously. “Release my friends.”
Both Ching and Julian fell to he ground, drained of energy and unable to practice magic so Xia was alone. “Who do you work for…tell me or I will slit your throat!” The Annoxonum pushed the blade into the creature’s skin and it screamed with pain and terror.
“Aria did! She sent me to assassinate you!” gasped the creature, “I am her sprite slave Annor.”
This is a sprite, thought Xia shocked to see this creature in this deformed state and was tempted to ask what had happened to her. “Aren’t sprites supposed to be pretty with shiny blue wings and roses in their hair?” It was sarcasm and Xia knew it but then she felt only anger for this creature and for all those aligned with the sorceress.
“My queen Aria resurrected me into this fiend,” croaked Annor watching the unfathomable eyes of the Annoxonum with huge pools of silver as she pleaded through her gaze.
By this time, Ching struggled towards Xia, panting. He then pulled Annor’s hair and asked, “What are Aria’s plans?”
“I do not know!” she wailed in agony.
“Now!” roared Ching furiously, pulling harder on the fibrils of hair.
“S-she wants to attack S-sacred Glove,” stammered Annor, “That is all I know of and she also is allies with demons.”
“King Vien?” questioned Ching, withdrawing his hand from her blond hair and did not bother to throw the few that he had ripped out with his hands.
“Yes!” shrieked Annor, “Him!”
“Thank you Annor for your assistance, Julian!” called Ching as he removed Xia’s blade from the heart of the fairy and Julian chanted a spell. Annor’s wailing body was separated from her peaceful spirit, which soared up into the air like a wraith and faded away.
“Send the body back to that witch and we should inform Sacred Glove of the attack,” said Xia vehemently, “In the mean while we should retrieve the firestone. By the way who’s Vien?”
“A man who turned corrupt…very corrupt,” muttered Ching with a heavy guilt and he avoided Xia’s gaze, “Now both of you go and get some sleep, it’s after midnight. I’ll get rid of the body.”
Why is grandpa hiding something? Xia walked away with a troubled expression and as she turned from the staircase, she saw Ching standing by the fireplace. What shocked her was the tear that rolled down his face.
Xia stood a moment longer as her eyes watered at the sight of Ching and she then ran up the steps unable to take more.
***
Night had descended over Nebula and the howls of the wolves grew stronger, as a hungry pack drew closer to the castle, towards Aria and Vien. The leader of the pack advanced and snarled, snapping its jaws.
“You have come. I am glad you are not angry of the canceling of instructions,” smiled Aria, “Wait here till I return.” Then turning swiftly she padded into the castle with Vien, heading in the direction of an isolated room and the demon looked at her with a perturbed expression trying to fathom what she was planning. She spoke only when the halls were empty of the guards.
“I am preparing for an attack on Sacred Glove with the help of the fallen wolves,” announced Aria, “I need the aid of your tremendous forces.”
“Attack?” questioned Vien, surprised. “Why?”
“To weaken the strongholds so that acquiring the other stones will be easier. I need to engage the forces and the Guardian for I have to retrieve the stones without their gaze on us.”
“Aria…this is serious…do you know the layout of Sacred Glove?” asked Vien, rubbing a finger on his neck. “Our armies cannot attack if they do not know the inside out of the city.”
“Yes…my wolves have scouted the area,” she replied and an orb appeared. Within the clear mist was the entire structure of Sacred Glove complete with all the towers and pillars that guarded it. “I have a scheme Vien. We will, that is the wolves and a legion of fairies, attack the Sacred Glove frontier to divert their attention. Iguana and the demon force can journey behind and ambush the Elentian army. This will give me time to retrieve the water stone and as Annor will kill the Annoxonum, the firestone will be mine as I have repeated many times.” Aria’s voice was low and steady as she outlined her plan, “What is your answer? Are you with me?”
Vien stood stunned at the perfectly chalked out strategy and then breaking out of his momentary trance, he gave his approval. A blue flame lightened the eyes of the sorceress who went to the wolves quickly.“Rally the sprites and attack the Sacred Glove at my signal,” ordered Aria, “You will see it in the sky.”The pack then trotted away to the large mass of assembled fairies and the two armies, together plunged towards sacred glove at full speed.
Vien just then emerged, Iguana by his side who swept a furious gaze at Aria before turning to his King. “Iguana, take the demon forces to the rear of Sacred Glove, at the borders of Tyrendocramius. Assault them only when half the army of sprites is destroyed. I will await the news of victory with anticipation.”
“You will have your victory my King. I will leave at once.” Iguana glanced at Aria with contempt and strode away, the armor clinking heavily.
Both the rulers stood staring at the misty mountains from where they could perceive the tip of the Sacred Glove’s fortres
s, with its towers gleaming in the moon which waxed and waned in the midnight sky.
***
Raven and Sylvana arrived to the Land of the Griffins and soared towards the congregation of the leaders.
“Sylvana… and Raven” said the Griffin King, “Settle down, we have urgent news. Raven as you must know we do not align ourselves with your kind but the situation is changing.”
“What has happened?”
“Raven…have you seen the earth stone?” inquired Sylvana. “It was protected by the Earth Guardian who has disappeared.”
“No,” was the abrupt reply of Raven, who eyed the Griffin King with mistrust.
“Well then we need both of you to locate the Guardian as only she can feel its presence.” The Griffin King ruffled his glossy feathers and his crimson eyes penetrated through the eagles before him.
“Raven has to go some place else on urgent business.” Sylvana put in hastily recalling her word to Raven.
“When you are over with your task then Sylvana and you will journey into Ohtar, the Firewoods and there you will search.” There was no mistaking that this was not a request it was an order form the King. “Leave…”
Both the eagles nodded as they took flight in the direction of the High Council, towards the southern end. Raven was troubled at the sudden alliance between the two tribes and it just was a sign of the changing of times; a sign of the approaching showdown between the forces of good and evil.
~ Chapter Eight ~
Morning came to Tyrendale washing over the marble pillars, sweeping over the bronze statues of the old Elentian heroes bordered by autumn trees and finally rippling through the palace of the Royal Elentian Lords.