Novels2Search

Chapter 1

Barren granite peaks stretched as far as the eye could see while veins of brilliant orange light blazed across an endless, sunset sky. As if traced with molten lava, the clouds poured vibrance and warmth to the edge of the horizon and beyond.

Winds from Rasmont Range would come crashing down on the little forest village of Ark every evening, carrying with it a mind-boggling bouquet of scents from all throughout the land. Anyone who stopped to sample the aromas quickly found themselves enamored by the mystery of where they all came from.

Kalos often imagined that he could taste those majestic twilight colors above peppered over a mouth-watering assortment of delicacies from far-away lands. When he closed his eyes, he was standing in front of a massive hall full of travelers who had brought their very favorite dishes from all over the world to share together with one another in a grand feast.

Two long rows of sea folk wearing pillowy linen shirts, leather trousers, and bright satin belts from the port city of Blefcynn nearly a week’s travel by foot over the mountains sat with one another in his mind. Conjuring-up countless fantastical tales of the sea and singing wild, ancient shanties of old, they took long draws from their favorite spirits between breaths and laughed like happy fools utterly unaffected by the woes of life.

Also present was a group of mysterious travelers who had come to take part in the celebration. Their long, flowing silks in every exotic combination imaginable paired with the richly-decorated gems of every kind made them stand out like poppies in a field of green. Esper Gypsies were notoriously well-known in certain circles. They, as a people group, had wandered from kingdom to kingdom over the centuries, blending every culture they encountered to form a completely unique identity all of their own. Contrary to what one might assume based on the inviting outward appearance they always seemed to maintain, they had proven time and again to be even more dangerous than they were alluring for those who had the misfortune of running into them during their travels.

The young dreamer often fantasized about how many strange creatures and fantastic peoples he could find if only given a chance to explore like sailors or gypsies could. It was invigorating to think about how he might travel across vast, uncharted expanses of land and sea, endlessly revealing ancient secrets along the way that normal people could never even hope to find.

“How amazing would it be to fly all the way to the city from here, Nava?” Kalos loudly blurted out as if to project his voice over torrential winds that still hadn’t descended from Rasmont Range.

Like an ensemble of divine instruments on high, the winds would eventually cause the earth to vibrate all around them. It was that very same phenomenon that inspired their ancestors to attribute the mountains with unnatural powers of both good and evil depending on how pleasant or difficult the season had been. So profound was the phenomenon to the elders that they would often tell stories about how Rasmont Range had been the cradle of the old gods long ago. They believed it was the only place in the world capable of lulling them to sleep for the sake of the people.

“Kalos, tell me the legend of Aelfain again!” Wildly attractive eyes like the Northern Aura that set the night sky ablaze with every imaginable shade of green eagerly watched him, waiting for the story to begin.

“Over a hundred years ago, before the Wise King’s Fellowship journeyed to forge a new path from the enormously wealthy lands in the south, two friends made an unbreakable pact with one another that they would make a better future for Ceirlan, together. Now Lord Romel and Lord Aelfain had grown up side-by-side in the Wise King’s court, but, as they would soon learn, they each had a very different idea about what a better future for the world actually meant.”

“Aelfain was a great fool of a man, but a terrifyingly powerful wizard, and a wildly successful merchant, but Romel was a knight full of kindness and light, one who could wield behrfire itself in his hands without so much as singing the hair on his arms...”

A gentle breeze wafted by as a precursor of the mighty gale that would soon come crashing down from the mountains above.

“Well, Aelfain came to realize how he might vastly increase his influence and wealth by establishing a secret trade system from Port Blefcynn all the way to the Southern Crossing without the King’s blessing.”

A dramatic spark shot through his eyes as the boy continued, “And he would stop at nothing to succeed!”

Nava tightly crossed her arms in anticipation. Her enthusiastic smile contrasted strongly with his dark expression, making him feel even more confident for his delivery.

“Even if it meant sacrificing his dragon’s life, all his family, and everything he ever loved... And that’s just what he did. The very day that the Wise King’s Southern Trade Fellowship was to board a grand vessel that would take them all the way to the Southern Crossing where they would begin their long, difficult journey home, Aelfain, who had been acting suspiciously for days, was accused of treason by Lord Romel in front of everyone for what he had done.

“When Aelfain realized his plans had been ruined by his best friend, he became vengeful in his heart.

“Suddenly, from the deck of the vessel where three powerful dragons were waiting to accompany the Fellowship on their historic journey, came a terrible roar! Aelfain’s dragon viciously attacked Lord Romel’s without warning. During the commotion, Aelfain quickly drew his dagger and lashed out at Romel while he was distracted by the chaos around them.” Kalos made a quick thrusting motion with one hand.

“However, Lord Romel was too quick. He knew something was wrong before the blade struck, and turned just in time to save himself from Aelfain’s cowardly attack. Even so, he still took a terrible wound in his side and slept for many days while his body mended itself.

“The instant Romel fell, Aelfain fled toward the ship while his dragon took to the sky in battle. That loyal creature fought fiercely against two others just as big and strong as it for the sake of the master.

“Finally collapsing victorious on the dock in a heap of blood, it only wanted to continue protecting its master to the very last breath.

“Aelfain swiftly used his magic to cast-off on a ship that required twenty men to launch, and was never seen again.

“That very next morning, the Wise King’s men executed Aelfain’s brother for not revealing his treachery sooner. Within days, the crown confiscated all wealth and estates from his family, which were vast even before his greed sent them down a tragic path.

“Aelfain’s family name was forever blotted out of the kingdom’s noble echelons, and his line was disgraced to the very last generation because of what he had done.

“It was said that the fire in his dragon’s eyes faded to nothing as it lay on the dock after his master left him alone by the sea. It died the instant that forlorn vessel disappeared over the horizon.”

Kalos slowly lowered his head as an unexpected wave of emotion washed over him. He looked up at Nava again, smiling weakly.

“Everything Aelfain accomplished in his life was destroyed in minutes. His feet never touched home again. Everyone he had ever known hated him. All he had done for Ceirlan was rejected by those who knew what happened that day.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Many believe he’s still out there somewhere on that forsaken ship, but now forever cursed to sail the world’s seas with the weight of his sins shackling him to the deck. Sailors still talk about how they see those moldy, tattered sails appear on the horizon for only a moment before once again vanishing into the great beyond.

“They say Aelfain will come back one day from between the realms of the living and the dead to take back everything that was once his...”

”You’re so dramatic sometimes,” Nava giggled while shaking her head at him with amusement in her eyes before continuing her thought, "But still, it’s good to remember that it only takes one dumb decision to destroy everything in your life.”

As he thought about her words, Kalos realized that he didn’t find the idea of Aelfain’s curse nearly as moving as the treachery in his heart.

“I want to see the Dragonskull monument one day, you know? They say it’s huge, and decorated more gloriously than the King’s throne itself despite its master’s betrayal.”

Nava tilted her eyes up at the sky. “My uncle says he saw it many years ago, all laced with gold and covered in jewels of every color imaginable. It sounds like it really is something special to see how the dragon’s memory is honored, no, revered for the courage and love it showed toward its master.”

Slowly, she locked eyes with him and continued, “I don’t think I want to see it, though. It’s such a sad story.”

Kalos seemed puzzled by her comment, “I thought everyone would want to see it. The Wise King was deeply moved by what happened... It’s one of the few things the Order hasn’t touched for fear of how the people might react.”

“Don’t talk about that!” Nava snapped, tightening her arms around her waist defensively. The stress in her voice was unsettling.

“You know what could happen if someone heard you, right? Nobody wants them coming around and messing everything up. The only reason we’re still safe is because they don’t believe Ark has anything of value to them. You don’t want to summon them here anyway, do you?”

“Of course I don't! I mean, it’s not like the wind would carry a message all the way to the royal city or something, right?”

Suddenly a blast of cold air spiraled down on them defiantly. Their conversation was swept away as the wind enveloped them on every side, flaying hair everywhere all at once while attempting to rip any loose items or clothing from their bodies in an instant.

Kalos stretched his arms wide as he smiled up at the sky. One tiny strip of blue still touched the mountain's edge, but only for a little while longer.

Nava’s skin rippled with goosebumps as she surrendered to the wind. Her stunning smile beamed through despite the intensity of the chill causing her to flinch randomly. Kalos watched the veins in her neck start pulsing with adrenaline before noticing a single tear drift away from her lashes in the wind.

They immediately turned and froze, listening to the forest around them with every ounce of focus they could.

At first, a gentle hum echoed in the distance. Seconds later, a great ensemble filled the air as wind forcefully played against the trees, the stones, and every nook and cranny it touched. Like some ancient creature hitting every possible note in a grand choir all by itself, it roared.

It wasn’t that air sickling over the mountains and through the forest somehow held good timing or yielded pleasant notes in proper cadence, but rather it was the raw sound of the elements and nature itself colliding everywhere all at once that created an opera beyond compare.

Suddenly, Kalos’ face twisted and Nava’s brow furrowed with disgust as she covered her nose with cupped hands.

Neither uttered a word, but their faces communicated volumes. They never expected the evening to take such a turn for the worse.

A soft flame flickered to life somewhere in the distance. Though Ark was a peaceful retreat from the miles and miles of wilderness all around it, there were grave dangers nearby that could rip a full-grown man to shreds and leave nothing to remember him by.

“What is that!?” Nava said with gravel in her voice.

“I’ve never smelled anything like it,” Kalos responded, shaking his head in confusion. He swallowed, trying to drive away a sickening lump that was growing in his throat.

“It’s getting late, anyway. We should just head back.”

#

It was very dark in the forest, especially on cloudy nights like this one, but several torches now flickered along the edge of the village.

In Ark, there were no gates, but a long, cell-shaped wall had been built around the outermost perimeter over the years by villagers who were trying to keep nosy neighbors, mischievous children, and unwelcome varmints out of their yards. Their collective efforts eventually came together in the form of a chest-high wall that separated Ark from the wild around it.

When Lord Romel established Ark for the purpose of housing weary travelers and making supplies available to them on their way to Port Blefcynn, he also insisted that a watchtower be built at every corner to help keep them safe. The towers were long gone now, but the tradition of keeping watch that became necessary after they were built remained an important duty for everyone who still lived there.

Locals continually patrolled the outskirts during the day and at least two times every night. Those who were on duty would often be accompanied by a friend, family member, or concerned passerby at random.

Kalos and Nava flinched when a gruff voice boomed from several paces away, “What are you two doin’ outside the walls so late?”

“Good evening, Barnum. We went to greet the winds, and...”

The old man cut Kalos off while waving his hand at Nava before either one of them could protest, “Better run home, girl.”

It was easy to see why Barnum was one of the few who remembered what things were like when Lord Romel was still alive. Big and burly as he was, he commanded respect from everyone around him, even at well over seventy-five years of age. With leathery knuckles and broad shoulders, he was known to deliver painful knocks over a drunken hoopla or minor dispute whenever he felt like someone deserved it. Over half the men in the village had been “whipped” by him, as he had boasted many times over the years, and everyone knew it was true.

Nava narrowed her eyes after being addressed like a child, but knew she would receive far worse from her parents if she didn’t get home right away despite being too mature for such things. The old man had known her since she was a baby, and it was never easy to break away from that kind of image with the elders.

“See you tomorrow, Kalos.” Nava gently placed her hand on his arm before stamping past Barnum with irritation, youthful pride forbidding her from sprinting until she was out of sight. As soon as they couldn’t see her anymore, she took off like a startled doe toward the nearest thicket.

“Let’s go,” the old man grumbled, tossing a heavy, iron lantern on a wooden pole at Kalos from nearly five paces away.

Kalos barely caught the behemoth of a lamp while struggling not to drop and shatter it into a million pieces. Despite his best efforts he nearly toppled over anyway. He was neither small nor weak, but catching such an awkward, clunky instrument that had been carelessly hurled his way like a child’s plaything was no easy feat.

Without so much as looking back to check and see if Nava was ok, old Barnum turned to continue his long, slow sweep around the village with Kalos close behind.

©2024, K. M. Plum, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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