by Darren Lee
Daleth nodded. “These events… they give me a very dark feeling.”
Elinar placed his hand on Daleth’s shoulder. “Me as well, old friend.”
Teelia let out a small moan of pain, clutching her stomach. “Elinar…” Teelia gritted her teeth. “We must hurry!”
Elinar nodded and looked to Daleth.
Daleth nodded. “We leave immediately. Elinar, ride with her and command those walking to share a horse with one of my soldiers. We must make haste, for Teelia’s sake.”
Elinar nodded and shouted the orders to the survivors. Daleth signaled his forces. They quickly approached the survivors and allowed them to mount.
Elinar climbed behind Teelia and pulled her back to him. “Lean on me, Rest. We should arrive by nightfall if we ride straight through.”
Teelia looked up to Elinar and nodded while she closed her eyes. Elinar and Daleth took point and led the Elves. They rode tirelessly through the afternoon.
The sun had just set on the horizon and the stars were beginning to shine when Daleth pointed ahead and shouted, “Look! The Sea of Transcendence is just ahead!”
Elinar whispered into Teelia’s ear. “Look, home.”
Teelia looked up to Elinar then to the tranquil sea in the distance. She smiled before letting out a cry of pain.
Elinar looked to Daleth and shouted, “Daleth, she can wait no longer. I’m riding ahead, deliver my report to my father as soon as you arrive!”
Daleth nodded and shouted, “You have my word! Now go!”
Elinar nodded to Daleth and violently kicked his horse. The horse broke into a full sprint as they approached the shoreline. Elinar kicked the horse once again, motioning it on. The horse’s hooves smacked against the water, but no splash was made. Elinar led the horse across the water’s surface. Light flashed around them, and suddenly they were in front of large stone walls that surrounded a massive city with its towering stone and marble buildings. Upon the walls flew flags of Alinshahar, each depicting a lush tree with lightning bolts striking each side. The horse’s hooves smashed against perfectly crafted stone bricks that paved the street leading into the city. The sea was nothing more than a magic-fueled illusion. Elven mages and sorceresses projected the illusion constantly from the ramparts of the city walls. Elinar looked to the massive iron gate that barred his path. He raised his hand high. A couple of moments later the gate began to open. Elinar rode through to see a group of Elven soldiers waiting for him.
Elinar came to a halt next to them and said, “Commander Elinar Durothill of the Alinshaharian Riders. I must pass at once! My companion is moments away from giving birth!”
The soldiers looked to each other then back at Elinar. A female spoke up and said, “Why are you here? Commander Sorasan departed to join you not long ago.”
“I’ve no time to explain,” he said. Commander Sorasan will return shortly with my riders and his forces. He will forward my report.” Elinar glared at the female soldier. “Now, with or without your permission, I’m taking my companion for the medical attention she sorely needs!”
The female soldier nodded. “Very well.”
Elinar nodded quickly, with a kick of his horse he was off.
The soldiers watched Elinar vanish into the distance. The female soldier turned to face the others. “Detain Sorasan and any who arrive with him. I must report to Councilor Adanna.”
The small group of soldiers placed their right arms across their chests in acknowledgment.
Elinar swiftly navigated the winding city streets. Tall torches lined the streets and lit the entire city. He finally came to a stop at a large building. Along the wall above the entrance was old Elven script. It read “Daelec’tar,” an old Elven word for healer.
Elinar quickly dismounted his horse. He held his arms out while Teelia slid into them. “Almost there, my love,” he said.
Teelia simply nodded, allowing Elinar to carry her into the large building. The interior was carefully and precisely crafted for elegance. Marble tile lined the floors, and the walls were trimmed in gold. Tropical plants were positioned decoratively throughout the various rooms.
Elinar looked around and saw no one. He took a deep breath and shouted, “Help! We need help!”
A female elf emerged from a nearby room. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Elinar quickly approached the elf with Teelia. “She is with child and it is time,” he said.
The elf’s eyes widened. “This way, hurry!”
Hours passed while Elinar impatiently waited outside. He could hear the grunts and groans of Teelia’s labor. Dawn approached quickly. The room fell quiet for a few moments before he finally heard a babe’s cry.
Elinar looked toward the door. He heard Teelia call out, “It’s a girl! A beautiful girl! Elinar, we have a daughter!” Elinar smiled and approached the door. A tear of joy seeped from his eye. He reached to the handle of the door when he heard Teelia scream, “Hey… what are you doing… no! Give me my baby!”
Elinar grabbed the handle, the door was locked. He struggled and jerked the handle to no avail. He screamed, “Teelia!”
Teelia burst into tears and screamed, “No! Please! I beg you!”
Elinar rammed the door with his shoulder and screamed, “I’m coming!”
Elinar burst through the door to see the healer bringing a dagger to his newborn daughter’s throat. The healer jerked the blade and slit her throat. Elinar and Teelia watched in horror at their child’s blood being drained. Teelia screamed and shouted while she wept. Elinar looked on in horror at the blood dripping from his daughter’s tiny form. He looked down at the pool of blood on the marble and his eyes narrowed in pure hatred and fury. Elinar gritted his teeth, his lips quivering. He gripped the hilt of the sword at his side and slowly drew it. Elinar screamed in anger and lunged towards the healer. Before Elinar could reach his foe, he felt a blow to the back of his head. Elinar fell to the ground and his vision blurred.
He heard words faintly as he was losing consciousness. “Chain him, prepare to take him before the Council.”
The female soldier from the gates spoke up. “Yes, sir, and the woman?”
“Hmph,” said the male voice. “Throw her in the dungeons to starve. No trial is needed for her.”
Teelia gathered her strength and rose up. Tears streamed down her face while she screamed, “Oryn Durothill will not stand for--”
The soldier quickly shut Teelia up with a sharp slap across her face and screamed, “Mind your tongue, bitch! Show Councilor Adanna the respect he commands!
The healer stood quietly, still holding the dead babe. He dropped the dagger. “What… What have I done?”
Adanna snarled, “Your duty. No more and no less.”
Adanna’s words echoed through Elinar’s mind over and over while he struggled against unconsciousness. The scraping of Elinar’s shins against the ground, the clanging of his chains echoed through the streets of Alinshahar. Elinar slowly opened his eyes and saw morning light. He looked to see his hands shackled together. He felt the heavy bindings around his ankles. Elinar began struggling to no avail. The two soldiers held him tightly. Elves began to line the streets. Elinar listened as he heard them speak, “That’s Councilor Durothill’s son! What is the meaning of this? What has he done? What crime could warrant such treatment of a well-respected man?”
Elinar looked around to the Elves who watched and shouted, “My only crime is giving life!”
The male soldier glanced back to Elinar and shouted, “Shut it!”
Elinar snarled and shook his head before he shouted, “No! The people will know! They will know how Councilor Adanna had my newborn daughter murdered!”
The soldier turned and backhanded Elinar, shouting, “I said shut it!”
Elinar spit blood from his mouth. The people of Alinshahar gasped at his words. They began shouting to the soldiers, “Is that true! You monsters! We will rise up!”
Elinar looked around with tears and hate filling his eyes.
“The streets of Alinshahar run red with the blood of an Elven child!” Elinar closed his eyes while tears streamed from then. He gritted his teeth and shouted, “A newborn child! If they will murder the grandchild of General Oryn Durothill, what’s stopping them from murdering any of us?”
The crowd erupted with shouts and roars of anger. They poured into the street and followed Elinar and his captors.
Chapter 18: Blood Ties
Oryn waited in the Collective Council chamber. He heard screams of anger from the outside. Oryn looked to a large round table where two other Elves were sitting. Closest to him was Councilor Stala, dressed in a flowing red dress with gold floral designs that matched her tightly pulled back blonde hair. Across from her was Councilor Manat, who wore a similar green dress. Her dark hair was also pulled back.
Stala looked to Oryn with concern. “What is happening?”
Oryn shook his head. “I don’t know. Barely past dawn and half of Alinshahar must be in an uproar.”
Manat smirked. “I would presume this is the reason Councilor Adanna has called this emergency session.”
Stala glared toward Manat. “I suspect you are right.”
Oryn sighed. “In nearly one thousand years as head of this Council, I have not seen this type of unrest.”
Stala glanced to Oryn. “I suspect they are once again calling for repeal of the Seclusion Act. Especially the part that restricts their freedom to have offspring.”
Manat shook her head. “That is ridiculous,” she said, with a stern look to Stala. “We cannot repeal the act. It has brought us one thousand years of peace when we were on the brink of extinction.”
Stala looked upon Manat with disgust. “We all know that act was supposed to be temporary while we planned to rebuild. That was the only reason we voted in favor before you and Adanna were members of this council.”
Oryn glared at them. “Quiet! The both of you. This is not the time.”
Stala sighed and looked to Oryn. “My apologies, Councilor, but you know just as I, the act should have been repealed long ago.”
Manat smirked. “Councilor Durothill sees the need and importance of seclusion.”
Oryn looked to Manat. “Do not presume to know what I believe.” Oryn glared and shook his head. “The act should have been repealed long ago. You know as Council Head, I can shift any vote in my favor. I did not wish to be seen as a dictator. I feel I may soon regret that.”
Manat banged her hand against the table. “If we reveal ourselves and the Dalronians have returned, we will be massacred! We must spare our people another genocide!”
Oryn’s mouth dropped open slightly. “Do you not realize the foolishness of your words?” Oryn gritted his teeth, shaking his head. “I fought them. I led our armies against them with naught chance of victory. No magical illusion will save us.” Oryn approached the table and leaned down toward Manat. “It is not a question of if. It is a question of when they come.”
Stala nodded her head. “Oryn is right. I was with archers that held the walls of Alinshahar. We were all that was left. The last Elven city. Without the appearance of Telindell, they would have driven us to extinction.”
Manat shook her head. “Hmph, think what you will. The both of you.”
Oryn shook his head and glared at them. He turned and walked to a large window at the rear of the room that overlooked all of Alinshahar. His eyes widened. “By the Gods… The entirety of Alinshahar looks to be at the steps of the Council. The soldiers are having to keep them back. Something is going on that we don’t know of.” Oryn quickly turned to face Stala and Manat.
Before they could speak, the chamber doors burst open. Councilor Adanna entered the room, a man with long black hair and brown eyes. He wore a black robe with gold stitching at the seams. Adanna looked to his fellow Councilors and sternly said, “Excellent. You’re all here.”
Oryn looked at Stala, then approached Adanna. “What is the meaning of this?”
Adanna took his seat and looked at Oryn. “Councilor Oryn, I must ask you to recuse yourself from these proceedings.”
Stala quickly jumped from her seat. “On what grounds!”
Manat chuckled, looking at Stala. “I agree with Councilor Adanna.”
Oryn and Stala both looked to Manat. “I feel there is much deception before us, Oryn,” Stala said.
Oryn’s nostrils flared and he squinted at Manat. “You know what’s going on here, don’t you?”
Manat chuckled once again. “Of course I do,” she said, smirking. “Either of you soft hearted fools would have intervened.”
Adanna shook his head. “Enough, enough,” he said. Adanna looked to Stala. “Cast your vote,” he said while a slight sly smile crept across his face. “Not that it matters, since Councilor Durothill will not be permitted to vote.”
Stala slowly took her seat, staring at Adanna with spite-filled eyes. “I vote to not recuse Council Head Oryn Durothill.”
Adanna let out a sigh. “It is settled,” he said while looking to Oryn. “Councilor Durothill, you have officially been recused from these proceedings. Would you please exit the Council chamber?”
Oryn raised an eyebrow to Adanna. “It is obvious that you wish to force a ruling I would not agree with.” Oryn’s voice took on a deep and stern tone. “As Council Head, I have the right to observe and witness all proceedings, and I will exercise that right to its fullest.”
Adanna chuckled. “Very well, Oryn,” he said while clasping his hands. “I had wished to spare you this pain, but as usual, have it your way.”
Oryn glanced to Stala. “Adanna, what have you done?”
Adanna smirked and shouted, “Bring in the traitors!”
Oryn could hear the clanging of shackles outside the council chamber doors. A beaten Elinar and Daleth were pushed in, accompanied by two Elven soldiers.
Oryn’s mouth dropped open as he looked upon the two. He quickly turned his gaze to Adanna and shouted, “This is an outrage!” Oryn pointed at Adanna. “On what grounds do you charge Commander Durothill and Commander Sorasan with treason?”
Stala banged her fist against the table. “This is preposterous! These two have devoted their entire lives to the Elven people!”
Manat shook her head. “Be that as it may,” she said, looking coldly at Stala. “They have committed crimes against the Elven people that cannot and will not be ignored.”
Oryn looked to Manat. “Nonsense! My son would do no such thing! Neither would Daleth. He has served me honorably for over a thousand years!”
Stala quickly shook her head. “This is an outrage.”
Elinar glared at his father. “You don’t know, do you?”
Oryn shook his head. “No, my son. I have no idea why you are here. I had no knowledge of your arrival, much less your imprisonment.” Oryn looked to Daleth. “Nor Daleth’s.”
Elinar took a deep breath. “Listen to the charges, father.”
Daleth spat upon the ground. “You are nothing but a treacherous serpent, Adanna! The people will not--”
A blow to Daleth’s stomach interrupted him. The soldier dropped him to his knees. Daleth looked to Oryn as he gasped for air.
Oryn gritted his teeth. “Enough!” Oryn looked upon the soldiers. “Strike either of them again, and I will personally dispatch you to Elintae’s arms!”
Adanna sighed and rolled his eyes. “Enough with the theatrics, Oryn.” Adanna glanced to Manat. “Prepare for the reading of the charges.”
Oryn nodded. “Yes, let us hear them.”
Adanna pulled out a rolled parchment from his robe. He unrolled it on the table and studied it for a moment. “Elinar Durothill, Commander of the Alinshaharian riders, you are hearby charged with the willful allowance of discovery by humans. Per your report, forwarded by Commander Sorasan, you were attacked by humans, which means you were careless in your operations. You are also charged with two counts of Council Defiance. The first being the release of the supposed descendant of Telindell. The second count
is for your conception of a child with Lady Teelia Solanas despite the council’s denial of your request.”
Oryn turned away from the table. “My son and Lady Solanas were given my blessing and Councilor Stala’s. The act was to be repealed before they returned.” Oryn let out a sigh. “The Elven people have grown beyond weary of this act. It is past time to repeal this cruelty.”
Adanna chuckled. “Careful, Oryn. You may have stature with our people, but you are not above the law. I have known of your communications and unlawful authorizations for some time.” Adanna glared toward Oryn. “Including the authorization to consult with humans living along the outskirts of Kynlynn.”
Oryn turned to face Adanna. “Treachery! You have no magical ability. You could not have intercepted our correspondence without help.”
Adanna smirked. “That is true. Unlike soldiers, I am not trained in our long distance communication, but perhaps some of the younger and more enlightened magic wielders are loyal to me?”
Elinar glanced to Oryn. “Father, please let him continue.” Elinar glared towards Adanna. “There is more you must hear.”
Adanna glanced to Elinar and chuckled. “Indeed there is. Daleth Sorasan, appointed Commander of the garrisoned Alinshaharian Riders, as requested by Councilor Oryn Durothill, you are charged with aiding and harboring Elven traitors. You neglected your duty when you aided Elinar and his riders. Elinar should have been detained and brought before the council. By you.”
Elinar’s lip quivered. “Tell my father where Teelia is.”
Adanna shook his head. “Teelia Solanas is of no concern to this council.”
Stala glanced to Oryn. “Wait!” she said while looking to Adanna. “You mentioned her specifically. She is being charged as well. Alinshaharian law dictates that she must be present.”
Oryn glared towards Adanna. “Where is she? She must be present.”
Adanna sighed. “Lady Solanas cannot be present. Unfortunately, she lost her life in childbirth.”
Elinar’s eyes widened. He shook his and screamed, “Lies!”