Everflame

by Peters, Dylan

  “Tenturo?” asked Evercloud.

  The griffin blinked his large glassy eyes. “I am.”

  The travelers looked for the statue but it was gone. Tomaton now stood in its place, once again inanimate, behaving as a proper statue should.

  “You were trapped in the statue,” said Evercloud.

  “I was,” said the Ancient. “No doubt you knew that from your time with Padre Esteban.”

  “Actually,” said Ben. “We may have seemed in a bit of a rush and did not receive all the information the Padre had. We have been told the Great Tyrant’s story, but we are not aware of how the Ancients, I mean you, were driven away.”

  “I see. I suppose it would only be fair of me to fill you in on that bit.” Tenturo lowered himself to the ground, the way a lion might rest itself while it watched the savannah. “Well, firstly, the Tyrant had the element of surprise on his side. We didn’t really know what was going on until it was far too late. Also, he was smart enough to ambush us each separately, diminishing the power we held as a group. Unfortunately, for that very reason, I do not know exactly what happened to the others. But in his vast arrogance, the Tyrant told me things that gave me clues as to what he did with the others. I was the last that he attacked, and he taunted me while I was trapped in stone.”

  “You mean you were awake in there?” said Tomas.

  “Oh, yes,” replied Tenturo. “We’ll get to that. The Tyrant drove me here with those two foul beasts that you dispatched. I know not where they came from or how they came to be in the Tyrant’s service, but when they drove me here, the Tyrant was waiting for me. He had received a power from the Earth that we were all powerless against. In appearance, it was very much like lightning, but he controlled it with his hands. He used that power to melt the rock of this mountain and then cast me in it, choosing to leave me as a statue. I am immortal, so I stayed conscious inside a prison of stone.

  “It was then that he began to taunt me and give me clues to his actions. He told me that I was the last, that he had already driven the others away. He told me that he would make sure that this world remembered us as evil, destructive beings, and by the time he had finished, the world wouldn’t remember us at all. He told me that he had cast Chera into a sea of fog, to remain there for all eternity. There is no sea of fog in this world that I am aware of, but he did tell me that he ambushed her in the land of Felaqua that lies south across the sea. Chera had always been fond of Felaqua. He then told me that he had trapped the great dragon, Bahknar, just as he had trapped me. He gave no evidence of where he had trapped him, though he did say that Bahknar didn’t share the monumental dwelling that he had given me. Regretfully, the Tyrant did not give any real clues as to the fate that befell Densa. However, the Tyrant gained an edge in his voice when he spoke of Densa, merely saying ‘he will know my pain.’ It is a mystery, what he meant by that. He continued taunting me a while longer, with nothing that was of any use, and then he left me, never returning. For ages upon ages of this world, I lived in that statue. I so deeply regretted what we had done to the Tyrant. After all, I was partly to blame for what he had become. I couldn’t feel sad for myself during my time trapped in stone. I only felt sadness for the world.

  “But then, after ages of solitude, a man found me. He came up to the statue I was enclosed in and spoke to me, not with words, but with his mind. I asked him how he knew that I was there and he responded that he could feel my presence. We spoke at great length and shared our stories with each other. To this day, he still visits me regularly. A wonderful man, that Esteban. It was his plot that brought you here. He came up with the test that gave you passage to this mountain, and it was also he that knew we could use the items found in Oldham’s Bog to free me. He even made little Tomaton over there, an ingenious invention.” Tenturo looked at the group and he could see that they were only half listening to him, their minds being occupied with something else. “Loss is difficult,” he said. “I would assume that this bear is from the Kingdom on Gray Mountain.”

  “Yes,” said Riverpaw.

  “Then before I return to my home in the Green Mountains, I shall take him back to his home and oversee his burial. All in his kingdom should know of his sacrifice and herald him as a champion. I owe him that much.”

  “Thank you, Tenturo,” said Riverpaw.

  Then Tenturo began again. “It is of my nature to reward the four of you for the service that you have provided me. A gift, if you will. Ask of me anything.”

  “Anything?” asked Tomas.

  “Yes,” replied the griffin.

  Ben stood up eagerly and addressed the Ancient. “Great Tenturo, my name is Ben Floyd and it has been mine and my family’s mission, for ages, to find the Ancients and return them to power. All that I would ask of you is aide in completing this mission. Transportation to the land of Felaqua, Tenturo, so that I may gain clues in how to free the great Chera.”

  “Your request is quite noble, Ben Floyd. It does me well to know that I am not alone in this endeavor. I will grant your request, happily. Travel south to the village of Cerano, and find a Captain by the name of Nesbitt. Speak freely and honestly to him and you shall receive what you need.”

  “Thank you, Tenturo,” said Ben as he bowed.

  Next, Tomas stood and spoke. “Tenturo, my name is Tomas Floyd. Ben is my brother and we share the same mission. I also ask for aide in that mission. Today, I failed those who depended upon me. My bow was not strong enough and my aim was not accurate enough. I do not want to fail anyone in these areas ever again.” Tomas lowered his head in shame.

  “Tomas Floyd,” said the Ancient, “step forward.” Tomas did as he was told and stood before Tenturo, merely feet from the massive being. “Present to me your bow.” Tomas took his bow and placed it upon the ground, in front of Tenturo. The griffin stared at it and as he did, the dark wooden bow began to change its color to a leafy green. “Now look into my eyes, Tomas.” Tomas stared up at the Ancient, slightly trembling and gazed into the creature’s eyes. Suddenly, there was a blinding flash of light. The group rubbed their eyes and readjusted them upon Tomas and Tenturo. “Now, Tomas, take your bow and shoot that bird from the sky.” Tenturo looked upward and Tomas followed his gaze. So did the others, but as Evercloud, Riverpaw and Ben looked into the sky, they were unable to see any bird. Tomas, however, took his bow in his hands and shot an arrow straight up into the air, so far and fast that it disappeared from their sight. Moments later, a large condor began to fall from the heavens. When it landed near them, upon the snowy mountain, the bird disappeared as if it had not existed at all.

  “That’s amazing,” said Tomas. “It’s as if I can see forever. Thank you, Tenturo.” Tomas bowed to the griffin and returned to the group.

  Then Evercloud stood. “My name is Evercloud, son of Eveneye, and I am from the Kingdom on Gray Mountain.”

  “You live among the bears by choice?” asked Tenturo.

  “Well, yes and no,” replied Evercloud. “I was abandoned by my human guardians when I was too small to remember. The bears took me in and have raised me as their own. They do not keep me against my will, they are my family.”

  “Interesting,” said Tenturo.

  Evercloud continued. “I, like the brothers Floyd, am also on a mission to find and free those who created the creatures of this world. However, my mission varies in some regards. I have been told stories, by the bears upon Gray Mountain, that long ago there were powers bestowed upon man so that he could act as a protector of peace for the world. I wish to reclaim that gift, once given to men, so that I may work to unite the creatures of this world harmoniously.”

  “Looks like we’re not the only ones with secrets,” Tomas whispered to his brother.

  “That is quite a request, Evercloud, son of Eveneye.” Tenturo gazed down at the young man as if his eyes could see through him.

  “Even so, great Tenturo, I have seen that creatures of different kind can exist together, and I see it as my responsibility to promote
that for the betterment of the world.”

  Tenturo nodded. “Is that the only reason you wish to reclaim these powers, Evercloud?”

  Evercloud considered saying yes, but something inside of him told him that it would be a mistake to lie to the Ancient. Something made him feel that Tenturo could see into his heart.

  “No,” said Evercloud, “there is another reason that I wish to have these powers. I also wish to rid this world of the Great Tyrant. I want to use these powers to defeat him.”

  This statement came as a shock to everyone in the group, even Riverpaw, but if it had surprised the Ancient at all, he did not show it.

  “And what if you fail?” asked Tenturo.

  “I have sworn to myself that I will not.”

  Tenturo hummed, thinking. “And would you swear to me?”

  Evercloud’s response came quick. “No, Tenturo, I would not. I do this for my own motivations and it would be a lie to pretend that I act in your interest alone, or in your service alone.”

  The jaws of the other three travelers dropped wide open, in horror, sure that Evercloud had just made a fatal error in judgment.

  But Tenturo smiled. “Maybe there is hope for this world yet.” The travelers stared at Evercloud and Tenturo in wonder. “I shall grant your request, Evercloud. Please come forward.”

  Evercloud stood in front of the great Tenturo, alone in the cold air. The Ancient closed his eyes, deep in concentration, and then Evercloud was enveloped in a silvery light. His body tingled all over as he felt the power surrounding him, the hair on his arms standing up. A mighty wind came and lifted Evercloud off of his feet, suspending him in the air. It swirled all around him, brushing against his arms and his face like gentle hands. Evercloud opened his mouth in surprise and as he did, the light rushed inside of him, filling him with its power. His eyes grew wide as he could feel strength surging through every fiber of his body. His senses became acute as if fear had filled his body with adrenaline, but there was no fear, only joy. Unimaginable happiness and serenity washed over Evercloud and then, the wind ceased and Evercloud’s feet returned to the ground.

  “What was that?” asked Evercloud.

  “You have been given the power of the wind, Evercloud. It is the only power that I can give to you. In order to obtain the others, you will have to find the other Ancients.”

  Evercloud stood up from the ground. “I feel amazing,” he said. “I feel strong.”

  He walked over to Tomas and picked him up with ease, hoisting him above his head.

  “Hey!” yelled Tomas. “Try your power on somebody else.”

  “I feel strange,” said Evercloud, setting Tomas back onto the ground. “I feel like running.” Suddenly, he took off like a bolt across the snow, moving so fast that he seemed to be a blur. He came to a stop in front of Tenturo and bowed to the griffin. “Thank you.”

  “I do not give this gift to you lightly, Evercloud. I fully expect that you will fulfill your oath. You have been given great power because you wanted great responsibility. Do not forget that.”

  “Yes, Tenturo.” Again Evercloud bowed and then returned to the group.

  Now Riverpaw stood in front of the Ancient. He looked hollow and broken, like the ghost of a bear, but he stood resolutely in front of Tenturo with swollen eyes and asked for the only thing in the world that he wanted.

  “My name is Riverpaw, son of Whiteclaw, and I want you to bring my father back.” Riverpaw stared at the ancient creator, unyielding, desperately afraid that any sign of weakness might cause Tenturo to reject his request.

  Tenturo looked down at the bear and slowly blinked his eyes. In all of the ages of his existence, through that vast expanse of time, he had never felt the wrenching pain upon his heart that he felt now. He bowed his head and accepted the fate of this sobering moment, and then he gave his answer to Riverpaw.

  “I am sorry, Riverpaw. I cannot.”

  “That is not true,” said Riverpaw, no longer able to stop the emotion from cracking his voice. “The Earth gave new life to the Tyrant. It has been done.”

  Tenturo softly shook his head. “It is not an existence that you would ever wish upon someone you loved, Riverpaw. Resurrecting the dead is an evil magic; it is no simple act of healing. Your father would be changed, Riverpaw, he would be incomplete. Do not wish for this.”

  Riverpaw dropped his head, too tired to fight any longer. The pain had won and tears flowed freely from his eyes. “What would you have me do?”

  “I would have you honor your father’s memory.”

  Riverpaw looked back up. “Then I, as well, wish for the power of the wind. I, as well, wish to use it to create peace between bear and man. That is something that my father, along with my uncle, Eveneye, have worked toward. I wish to continue that work along with Evercloud.”

  “Then you shall have it,” said Tenturo.

  And like Evercloud, Riverpaw too was enveloped by the wind and silver light. When the process was over, he stood to his full height and without knowing that it was possible, launched himself into the air. He was flying. He soared through the air above the mountain, diving and ascending again, making loops and rolls and finally, crashing into the rock wall of the alley. The mountain shook and Riverpaw stood from the ground where he had fallen, unscathed and smiling. A Riverpaw sized chunk of rock had crumbled away from the wall where the bear had hit it.

  “He’s like a…like a…what do you call them?” asked Evercloud.

  “A cannonball,” said Ben.

  “Yeah, he’s a cannonball.”

  Riverpaw returned to the group and looked at Ben. “You plan to travel to Felaqua for clues to freeing Chera?”

  “Yes,” Ben answered.

  “Do you mean to travel alone?” asked Riverpaw.

  “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to,” said Ben with a grin.

  Riverpaw turned to Evercloud and Evercloud nodded at him.

  “I’m in as well,” said Tomas.

  “It’s settled then,” said Ben. “An alliance.”

  “What of you, Tenturo?” asked Evercloud. “What will you do when you reach your home in the Green Mountains?”

  “That has yet to be determined,” he said. “However, I believe that it is time for me to be going.” Tenturo walked over to Whiteclaw’s body and lifted it, in one massive paw.

  “Please, tell my mother that I love her,” said Riverpaw. “And tell her that I will return to her.”

  “And please, tell my parents the same,” added Evercloud.

  “Of course,” said Tenturo. “Oh, and one other thing before I go. Which one of you was it that passed the Padre’s test?”

  Evercloud shyly raised a hand, still embarrassed for his being singled out. Then, suddenly, Tenturo touched his mind.

  Anytime you should need me, Evercloud. No matter how far I am from you. You can always find me this way.

  Evercloud nodded at the Ancient.

  “Just wondering,” said Tenturo. “Goodbye to you, and my thanks.”

  The griffin spread his giant wings and began to beat them against the air. The travelers had to brace themselves to prevent the draft from knocking them over. With one final push, the Ancient thrust himself into the air and began to fly away.

  I will return to the mountain, Riverpaw said silently to his father as he watched Tenturo carry him toward the horizon. I will see you again. I swear it.

  The travelers watched Tenturo fly in the distance, not quite knowing how to feel. Things were different now; they were different now. In the matter of a few hours, it had seemed as if the entire world had changed.

  “There’s something Tomas and I need to tell the two of you,” said Ben to Evercloud and Riverpaw as he watched the Ancient disappear over the horizon.

  “Excuse me,” came a voice from behind. “But I was told that I might find the brothers Floyd up here.”

  The four travelers spun around to see a man holding a chain with a small white stone hanging from it.

  “Who
are you?” asked Tomas.

  “Me?” said the man. “I am a messenger.”

  Confusion

  The messenger tossed the necklace at the feet of the newly formed alliance.

  “What have you done with Esteban?” asked Ben.

  “I do nothing,” said the messenger. “I am what people do to themselves.”

  Ben was not in the mood for riddles. “If you don’t tell me what you have done with Esteban, we will force it out of you. And trust me, you don’t want that.”

  “That, Ben Floyd, would be a ridiculous waste of all of our time.”

  “And why do you say that?” asked Ben in confusion.

  “Because, I’ve already killed Esteban.”

  All of their jaws dropped in disbelief. Tomas cried, “Why?”

  “Come, come, Tomas. What is it mothers always say to their children? There’s no use crying over spilled milk.”

  “I’ll show you what crying is for,” said Ben and pulled his blades from their sheaths.

  “I wouldn’t get so aggressive if I were you,” said the messenger. “Your sister wouldn’t approve.”

  “No,” yelled Ben.

  “Well, first let’s be sure I have the right girl. Big blue eyes, flowing red hair, soft pale skin, gets very upset when you kill her father.”

  “You monster!” screamed Ben.

  • • •

  Iolana was laying on the top step of the passage that led to the top of the mountain. The messenger had continued to paralyze her repeatedly, ever since the desert. It had been a nightmare. Unable to even close her eyes as the messenger killed Padre Esteban, the small man never standing a chance to defend himself against such a foe. She wished that she had just agreed to follow him while in the desert. Then maybe, just maybe, she would have been able to stop him. What is this man after, she wondered? When they had entered the darkness of the passageway, she again had thought she would die. He had dragged her along the cold rock floor, paralyzed. Her body being cut and bruised as they went along. After hours of moving, she had realized that he must need her for something, most likely to use against her brothers. A bartering chip. As she lay upon the freezing steps, she wondered if the man had found her brothers. He could be fighting them now. If only I could move. And then in her frustration and anger, her finger twitched. She tried with all her might to make it happen again. Two fingers twitched this time, and then her foot. The magic was wearing off. Minutes later, she slowly rose to her feet and hobbled out into the snow. And then she heard a man yell.