Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12: Secrets on the Eve of Trouble


Falion - Illumination Forest

The morning came all to quickly. Elowen’s life force wasn’t strong enough, and the spells she had been casting the day before dwindled away at her.
When everyone else woke up, she was still deep asleep.
   “What’s wrong with her?” Dreyden asked, looking up at Ysmay from where he crouched by Ellie’s bedside. “She’s not waking up.” His agitation was clear, not that Merek could blame him, the poor boy had already lost her once.
Ysmay came over and bent down over Elowen’s chest, listening to her steady heart beat. She smiled and looked up at Dreyden’s eager face.
   “Calm down. She’s just sleeping. Almost in comatose, but she is simply sleeping.”
Dreyden seemed to let out a deep pent up breath.
   “I told you,” Sonera said quietly as she put a hand on Drey’s shoulder.
   “Her life force is very weak, and she did quite a few spells last night. Those take up a lot of energy. So it’s to be expected that she should be fast asleep. But don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll come around before we head out.”
   “But what if she doesn’t?” Terryn spoke up, slightly anxious as well.
Sonera just grinned at him.
   “Well then, I guess you get the honor of carrying her to the Ruins.”
Terryn’s eyes grew wide as they darted between her and the sleeping girl. Sure, she was small and probably weighed nothing, but after several hours of carrying her, she’d feel like she weighs a thousand or more pounds!
   “She’ll wake up.” He stated hastily. “She will.”
Everyone chuckled quietly.
   “Of course she will.” Ysmay said.
   “She will.” He added hastily once again. “And if she doesn’t, I’ll toss a bucket of ice water on her face.” He threatened as he tightened his weapons belt.
But the glare Dreyden gave him told him that he’d have to get through him first.

{+++}

As it turned out, Elowen was still asleep when Calistar insisted they move out. He stated that he had matters of great importance to take care of and he had to get them out of the way as fast as possible. So right after a quick breakfast of herbs and bread supplied by the Pixies, they packed everything up, and the four boys stood around Elowen’s sleeping form, trying to figure out how they were going to carry her.
   “We could take turns carrying her on our backs.” Merek suggested. “I mean she’s not that heavy.”
   “But she will be after you’ve hiked a few hours, and in this terrain it could be less time before you feel that your arms are going to fall off.” Kade spoke up for the first time. They all had noticed that he was growing slightly more accustomed to them all, and for that they praised Eleyos.
   “True at that.” Merek muttered.
   “We could make a cot and carry her between all of us.” Terryn put in. “That way we’re all carrying equal weight.”
The rest of the boys nodded their agreement. And Terryn’s chest puffed out in slight pride that they had liked his idea.
   “But, where would we get the materials? I don’t think the Pixies would appreciate it if we started to cut down their forest, how about you?” Dreyden asked.
Terryn groaned and ran his hand through his dirty hair. He hadn’t thought about that.
Just then Sonera came in and picked up her sword. She slung it onto her back and buckled the sheath securely across her chest. She glanced up and pushed her silver hair out of her silver eyes and dark face. Terryn still couldn’t get over her odd looks.
   “Why don’t you use your yerto to carry her? He can fly right above us, you can strap her in by leather cord and then your problems solved.” She suggested. It seemed logical to her, and she was shocked none of them had thought of it. She tugged on her leather jacket to straighten it. She pulled out a dagger that was strapped to her leg and examined the blade, completely ignoring the boys that were now starring at her. Until she placed the short blade back in it’s sheath and met their gazes with her hands on her hips.
Dreyden tapped his arm and moved out of the cave with out saying another word.
   “Of course it just had to be a girl that came up with that idea.” Terryn muttered as he followed Drey.
Sonera made a face to his retreating back, then stopped when she heard Kade chuckle as he came up beside her.
   “You really shouldn’t do that.” He said.
   “Do what? Solve life’s problems just because I’m a girl? Ha! When has that ever stopped me?” She stated, casting him a look with a smile and then heading out of the cave.
   “Exactly my point.” He whispered.

Drey put two fingers to his mouth and let out an ear piercing whistle.
The Pixies around him shrieked at him as they covered their pointy blue ears. A few minutes passed when there was nothing to be heard but the cursing of the Pixies, which everyone promptly ignored.
Then there was a deeper, louder shriek from above.
Everyone’s heads pivoted to the skies, just in time to see a flash of red streak the deep blue.
Dreyden smiled and motioned for everyone to stand back.
The Pixies, not sure of what was going on, just stood (really floated) where they were and didn’t do anything but watch this red thing get closer and closer as it circled the clearing.
Finally, everyone could see the yerto’s distinct shape, but the Pixies had never seen one before, and as it came down to land, they all screamed in their extremely high pitched voices and chaos erupted as they scrambled to get away.
The yerto landed in the soft grass, folding his wings in close to his body so they wouldn’t get hurt by the surrounding trees. He gave a final squawk as his legs touched down in the green grass.
His beady green eyes took in everything for a long moment, not sure of what to make of the glowing trees that seemed to have a pulse, and the screaming Pixies were starting to make him nervous. He beat his wings and took several steps back.
   “Drey get him under control before he looses it!” Merek shouted as he predicted what would happen next.
Drey nodded and rushed forward to his yerto.
The giant bird was screeching in response to the Pixies, which in turn only frightened the Pixies, which only made them scream higher. The yerto’s eyes grew wider with each passing minute, and the fear was plain to see. At least for Dreyden.
   “Swift. Swift it’s alright, it’s alright.” Dreyden approached the frightened yerto with his hands up in a sign of peace.
   “Hand me a piece of meat.” He said to no one in particular as he held out his hand.
   “Uh...” Everyone started to look around.
   “Quickly!” Drey urged.
   “There is no meat!” Sonera hissed. “The Pixies are woodland creatures, they don’t hunt for meat!”
Terryn suddenly remembered the jerky he had in his pack. It wasn’t much but it would have to do.
Dreyden owes me big time! He thought regretfully. He scrounged around in his pack for a moment before coming across the leather bundle. Yanking it out, he ran over to Dreyden, trying not to make any sudden movements. He jerked on the string that held the pouch closed and placed it in Drey’s open hand.
Drey fumbled to get the jerky out, but he finally got it and held it out to Swift.
   “Hey, hey, hey.” He whispered in a quiet, and soothing voice. Swift saw the jerky and cut off his shrieking immediately.
   “Ysmay, try to calm the Pixies down, they need to be calm.” He instructed, still in a quiet tone.
Ysmay turned to the Pixies and used soothing tones to get their attention, trying to get them to calm down.
   “There you go boy.” Drey said as Swift snatched up the jerky and gobbled it down in one quick swallow.
Drey reached out and ran his hand along the yerto's soft red feathers.
   "There you go. It's alright." He continued muttering kind words to him as he rubbed the yerto's neck. Swift settled down, and Drey noticed that the Pixies had as well. Though they were still wary of the big beast.
   "Alright then." Drey moved to the lightweight leather saddle that was still on Swift and checked to make sure it was snug around his belly.
He shifted the collar that hung around his neck and turned to everyone else.
  "Bring her out Merek?" He asked. Merek nodded and disappeared into the cave.
A few minutes latter, he was holding the sleeping girl in his arms.
He brought her over and lifted her onto the yerto. Drey tied the leather straps around her legs after he placed them in the stirrups.
He then wrapped a strap around her stomach twice, then wrapped it around Swift's neck.
   "There, that should keep her in place." He stated, nodding at his own handiwork.
   "M-hmm. At least 'til she wakes up again." Ysmay spoke up from his side.
   "Aye, but then she can tell Swift to land so she can walk if she's able."
   "True at that. Well send him up and lets get going." She said, making a shooing motion to the bird.
   "You take care of her, ye hear?" He whispered to his friend. "Give her a smooth ride, and don't be difficult or there'll be no more crecip fruit for ya. Ye hear?!"
Drey made a motion with his hands, and Swift leapt up into the air. Beating his wings fiercely, he ruffled everyone's hair, making them look like a tornado had gotten to them. But once he was off, he was off high and clear. Carrying a dear treasure, that only Eleyos knew it's true worth.

{+++}

Just because one's in near comatose, doesn't mean one sleeps peacefully.
And this was what happened to Elowen.
For a lass that had never had dreams before, she was being tortured by dreams.
And what was worse was that they seemed to have no significance. Things that she couldn't tell if they were real or not. She was also curious as to where they were coming from. Or why she was getting them now! But they were there none the less.

A woman's long blond locks billowed in the wind as she climbed up the stone steps. Her sandals hardly making a sound. There was a slight tremble in her hands that clutched her teal skirts, and Elowen couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. Thought it wasn't long before she found out.
When the woman reached the top of the stairs, she let go of her skirts and nodded to the two guards with blue tinted armor that stood on either side of the two large oak doors. For a moment, she let her eyes take in the curly design that had been carved into the wood. The doors swung inward, and if Elowen had actually been there she would have gasped in awe. But the woman she was at the moment didn't seem taken by the room before her, more with the man standing in it.
   The room its self was roofless. Or so it seemed, but Elowen's magical trained eye caught the traces of magic that protected the room against the natural elements. Stone walls circled them and on the far side of the room, there where open arches that led to no where but a magnificent view of the country side.
On the floor, which she was now crossing steadily, was a mosaic of colorful tiles. Ellie wasn't able to make out the picture, but she knew it most be of something that held some great importance.
At the edge of the mosaic and in front of the wall full of arches, stood an alter. Elowen wasn't exactly sure what it was for, or who. But the woman's gaze fell on the man standing behind it.
Ellie immediately knew he was a warrior of some kind by his strong arms and wide shoulders, but she also saw something in him that felt very familiar, though she couldn't put her finger on it.
   "You know what will happen my dear if my father catches you up here." The woman whispered, letting the man grasp her hands and hold them tight.
   "Yes, but don't you think it's time we told him? If we are truly to bring peace to this world then we have to start somewhere, yes?"
The woman smiled at him and cupped his cheek. His dark brown hair fell across her finger tips, as his blue eyes pierced her own.
   "Alright. You know I can't say no to that face." The woman gave in. "But we must do it carefully, if my father was to learn that you were actually from -"
The doors suddenly flew open and the couple turned around. A man came storming in to the room. His snow white hair was pulled back and oiled, his beard was trimmed and beads dangled in it. His robes were what shocked Elowen the most.
He wore a purple cape, and a gold ring on his head.
He was a king.
   "Father..." the woman whispered. The king's eyes rested on her a moment, before moving to the man who still held her hands. His eyes grew wide in fury.
   "So it is true Fayoen? My only daughter, has fallen for some - some inadequate boy?!"
   "Father, please let me explain." Fayoen's voice was calming, and usually did the trick on her father's temper, but not this time.
   "I am not inadequate sire. I come from a good family. A very -"
   "I know who your family is! I know who you are boy!" The king bellowed.
   "And if you think I will let you set foot on Falion again -"
   "Father please!" Fayoen cried, ripping her hands from the man and walking over to the king. "Don't you see?" She asked. "This is the only way to bring peace to the world. Truly."
   "We are at peace." He argued.
Fayoen shook her head.
   "Ignoring each other, and hating each other is not peace father. And you know it. If we can form an alliance, maybe the worlds will come together as they once where."
The king's stormy gaze encased her.
   "If you think, I will loose a daughter, my only daughter, to secure peace to a fantasy land that floats up in the sky then -"
   "Sire," The man took a step forward and offered his hands in a peaceful gesture.
   "I am the prince and heir to the throne of Haven. I have influence there. Already I have turned a few nobles into believing that Falion is real and that it is not the place the tales speak of. And if our alliance can be the insurance of peace, then we are both willing to do what it takes."
   "I am not about to give up my only daughter to someone who does not love her. Will not care for her the way a - "
   "But I do! I do love her. I love her more then life it's self."
It was in those words that the king finally understood that the boy actually did love his daughter. That he was willing to do what ever it took to see her happy.
   "Father..." Fayoen caught his attention and he turned towards her. "Did you not say but a few days ago that you wished to see these lonely halls filled with grandchildren?" She asked. Tears sprouted from his eyes as he cupped her cheek.
   "But how am I to do that if you won't let me marry?" She meant it in a loving, kind way. Just a gentle nudge out the door so he could see her world, her wish.
The king let out a raspy sigh and looked to the prince.
   "How am I to know that what you say is true?" He questioned, his heart of stone had cracked.
   "I swear it to Eleyos," the prince held up his right arm to the open clear sky. "That what I say is true, and if I lie, let him strike me down where I stand."
The king saw the fierceness burning in the young man's eyes. The innocent truth that held him captive. Finally, he nodded.
   "But you are to have the wedding here." He stated sternly. "I'm not going to have my only daughter get married in the sky where she's sure to fall."
Fayoen nearly fainted with glee as she kissed her father before running up to her beloved. He scooped her up in his arms and they laughed as he spun her around.
The king chuckled as he rubbed his beard. It had been a long time since he had seen two people so happy. Since he had seen her smile like that.
   "Maybe some grandchildren would be a nice change." He muttered to himself with a happy smile.

Elowen woke with a start. Her hair, wet with sweat, was plastered to her forehead and neck. What she saw, more what she felt, didn't make sense to her. The air was cooler then she remembered, and there was a whistle in her ears that sent her head buzzing.
She was finally able to peal her eyes open, but all she saw was blue. Blue, white, and red. It confused her at first, because she wasn't sure what she was looking at.
She thought she must still be dreaming because nothing made sense.
But even in my new dreams they make some sort of sense! she argued with herself.
She rubbed her palm into her eye, trying to get rid of the fuzziness in her vision. It was then that she tried to sit up, but realized something was holding her down.
A moment of panic passed as she tugged and tugged. But finally a screech filled her ears and she swung her head up, gasping as she realized she was on Swift. Dreyden's yerto.
She also realized that she was tied to him by a leather strap around her waist, that was tied around Swift's neck. So when she had been pulling on it, she had been choking the poor bird.
   "It's alright." She whispered, reaching up and rubbing his soft, warm neck. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you." She wrapped her arms around his neck, and tried to undo the knot.
But Swift wouldn't have it, he kept thrashing and he tried to nip at her fingers as she fumbled with the knot. She decided on a different approach.
She quit her struggling, and rubbed her fingers through the yerto’s feathers soothingly.

“Win dain a lotica,
En val turi, Silota
Fin dein a loluca
En dragu a sei lain,”
She began to sing the lullaby her sister Jedika sang to her when she was a little child, and frightened of something. In Elowen’s flawless, high voice it did wonders to all that heard and listened. Including yertos apparently.
“Vi fa-ru
les shutai am,
En riga-lint.

Win chent
a lotica,
En val turi, Silota,
Fin dein a loluca,
Si katigura neuve,
Floreria for chesti,
Si entina.”
She began to vocalize a bit, trying to mimic the way her sister’s voice seemed to fall up and down like she was an angel from Eleyos. Swift had calmed down, and her fingers began eagerly, and quickly untying the knot of leather that was still around his neck. Though this time, he didn’t seem to mind as much.

“Win dain a lotica,
En val turi, Silota,
Fin dein a loluca,
En dragu a sei lain,
Vi fa-ru
les shutai am,
En riga-lint.”
When the last note died away, Swift’s fit had passed long ago, and now was so still, and calm other then the steady beat of his wings he didn’t move at all.
The leather strap fell away from his neck and she quickly sat up. As she coiled it around her wrist, her gaze wandered. Down below a ways was the Illumination Forest’s canopy of trees. Her heart quickened as she began to realize she couldn’t see much past the gently glowing leaves.
Where are the others? Where have they gone? They must be around here somewhere or else I wouldn’t be on Swift. But that’s when her hyper active, over imaginative mind caught up with her. Oh no! what if something’s happen to ‘em?! What if they got in a fight with the Pixie’s and they only had enough time to save me?! What if - No! She cut her own thoughts off. No they have not passed over, I refuse to believe it. No they’re probably just on the ground walking, and I bet I couldn’t wake up, or had passed out or something. There must be a reasonable explanation for this all! I just have to trust in Eleyos. Yes...that’s all I have to do.
Trust in Eleyos. He will guide me.
With a peace over her mind, her thoughts began to wander. And they wandered to the odd dream she had last night.
The one thing about her dreams, was that she wasn’t sure she if they were completely true or not. But now, now she knew they were. And of the past no less.
Fayoen was indeed the princess of Asmodea and heir to the throne of Falion a few years back. She got married very young to the prince of Haven, heir to the throne of Cevlon. The couple hopped that through their marriage they could form peace with everyone. This was told enough to her through the dream, but Elowen had studied it during her time in the monastery. But that wasn’t the end of the story.
After the wedding, riots began to form, and the couple were forced to flee. Fayoen’s father was so worried and depressed that he died not but a few months after.
After that, Falion became a republic. A council trying to rule a monarchy kingdom. It hasn’t gone well. In fact, people are searchin’ for the doomed couple’s lost heirs. ’Tis said they survived, and they are around here somewhere. But, no one’s found them, and the tale and hope is so old that it’s become just that. A tale.
   Elowen sighed and looked down at the Forest below her.
It maybe be too late for peace between the two worlds, but that didn’t mean she was going to just sit by and let it rot by the evil of Viglur and his minions!
No, she had to keep going, she had to find a way to save it all. To save this precious world Eleyos cared enough to create, It didn’t deserve to be swallowed whole by the jaws of destruction.
   But, luckily for her, she wasn’t alone.
“Not now. Not ever.” She whispered bravely, clutching Stargazer close.