(Notioned) Legends of Clal Series - Book 1 - by J. A. Holladay.doc

--- page 1 ---

Legends

of

Clal:

Skyland's

Rising

Chapter

1:

The

Dream

Two

cloaked

forms

lept

from

off

a

small

ledge

onto

the

sandy

shore;

one

pursuing

the

other.

No

moon

was

shinning,

nor

were

the

stars

lit.

It

was

black,

the

world

outside,

and

the

world

inside.

Only

the

fire

of

their

torches

carried

them

across

the

lengthy

stretch

of

path

where

the

land

meets

the

sea.

Smoke

and

wind

twisted

about

them

and

the

sea

foam

was

as

black

as

ash.

Lights

appeared

before

them

and

the

second

ran

passed

the

first.

“Go,”

said

the

bearded

man.

“Everything

is

written

there

in

the

scroll

there,

the

coming

of

the

One,

a

marked

lineage...”

Several

small

boats

awaited

their

arrival.

A

rope

was

untied

and

the

younger

of

the

two

boarded.

“Father,

but

what

will

you

do

here?”

He

stood

in

the

boat

then

leaned

to

one

of

the

men.

“Make

room.”

“I

do

not

know.”

he

said

ignoring

his

son's

request

to

the

man,

“I

have

much

that

I

must

yet

do

to

minimize

this

harm

of

evil.

It

is

in

the

veins

of

the

future

that

we

will

find

hope.”

In

a

distant

voice

the

man

said,

“Remember

the

scroll.”

As

they

spoke

the

boat

was

pulled

away

by

the

waves

and

they

watched

each

other,

father

and

son.

A

distant

voice

spoke,

“Remember

the

scroll.

The

veins

of

the

future

that

we

will

find

hope...find

hope...hope...hope...

home...home...let's

go

home...Clal...home.”

Clal

was

awakened

by

a

familiar

voice.

It

was

the

voice

of

his

sister,

Ansa.

“Get

up

Clal.

The

wagon

is

leaving

and

you're

supposed

to

be

on

it.”

She

ran

over

to

him.

“Day

dreaming

again,

I

suspect.”

She

smiled

and

bent

down

to

lift

Clal

up

by

his

arm.

She

wiped

off

his

grass

covered

back.

“Day

dreaming,

Ansa,”

Clal

dusted

off

his

legs,

“It's

always

worth

it.”

They

both

laughed

loudly.

Arm

in

arm

they

headed

down

Crescent-Keep

mountain

by

the

only

trail

that

existed.

The

stream

that

ran

down

it's

face

seemed

to

keep

up

with

their

conversation

with

a

few

words

of

it's

own.

Their

descent

was

speedy

and

soon

they

were

running

through

the

wild

grasses.

They

arrived

at

the

small,

simple

house

of

the

Winden's,

their

home.

Ansa

followed

Clal

as

they

entered

the

house.

As

Clal

did

so,

the

words

and

images

that

he

found

and

remembered

from

his

dream

still

had

not

left

him.

He

decided

that

now

would

not

be

the

time

to

ponder

their

meanings

or

remember

the

details,

so

he

put

them

aside

for

a

time

to

make

room

for

his

partings

with

his

family.

Clal

and

Ansa

were

going

to

travel

to

Eldan

Vyum,

the

central

Kingdom

of

Illia;

Illia

was

the

world

that

they

now

knew.

This

was

the

kingdom

that

governed

all

other

kingdoms.

Clal

was

going

for

the

examination.

After

the

examination,

Clal

would

go

to

work.

Ansa

too

was

going

with

him,

but

only

to

work.

“Hello

Mum,

I'm

back,”

Clal

said

once

he

was

in

the

main

room.

“Father,

I'm

here.”

--- page 2 ---

Ansa

picked

up

her

belongings

then

gave

Clal

his.

“Oh,

Clal,

Ansa,

I

wish

the

best

for

the

both

of

you,”

Already

wet

with

tears,

his

mother's

deep

brown

eyes

smiled

as

she

walked

into

the

room.

“Our

wishes

and

hopes

will

be

with

you.”

His

mother

was

loosing

not

one

but

two

of

her

children

for

a

few

months,

and

it

would

be

the

twins

at

that.

Clal's

father

came

into

the

room

along

with

Turl,

his

older

brother.

His

father

gave

him

a

hearty

embrace

then

gave

him

a

slip

of

paper

and

said,

“Here

is

the

name

of

the

man

to

seek

out

for

hire,

once

the

examination

is

over,

of

course.”

Clal

nodded.

“Clal,”

Turl

said,

“Good

luck.”

He

gently

placed

his

hand

on

Clal's

shoulder.

“The

first

year

is

always

new

and

scary

.

Don't

worry.”

He

smiled.

The

driver

of

the

wagon's

voice

trailed

in

through

the

front

door,

“Are

you

twos

comin'?

There's

a

time

a

waistin'.”

Clal

turned

around

and

looked

out

the

door,

then

turned

to

his

family.

Ansa

was

standing

in

the

doorway

behind

him.

With

a

final

pat

on

the

back

by

his

father,

and

a

kiss

from

his

Mum,

Clal

left

his

house

and

boarded

the

wagon.

Clal

watched

his

family

until

around

a

bend

their

wagon

traveled,

then,

they

were

out

of

sight.

(Old

Chapter

2

space,

but

now

part

of

Chapter

1)

They

were

silent

for

a

long

time,

their

bodies

moving

with

the

sway

of

the

wagon

moving

over

uneven

ground.

Heavy

was

the

journey's

end

upon

their

minds.

The

aspen

trees

waved

at

them

as

they

traveled

through

the

forest,

slow

with

sounds

of

the

sea.

The

breeze

carried

a

scent

of

summer

leaves

and

berries.

They

were

approaching

the

edges

of

where

Clal

ever

wandered.

Instead

of

adventuring

out

to

the

east

of

their

land,

he

would

would

frequently

climb

old

Cresent-Keep

Mountain

or

travel

to

the

Crescent

Hills

below

it.

The

furthest

he'd

ever

venture

to

travel

was

within

a

half

a

day

from

the

sea.

The

driver

chewed

on

a

piece

of

grass

and

occasionally

spat

out

its

pieces.

The

donkeys

bore

the

weight

of

the

wagon

and

the

twins

continued

to

ride

along

in

silence.

Ansa

too

was

studying

the

scenery.

They

traveled

next

into

the

valley

of

Lyrune

where

the

crescent

hills

were

kept

safe

by

the

Crescent-Keep,

or

so

the

legend

goes.

The

lane

was

wide.

It

was

here

that

Clal

found

himself

dozing

off,

being

rocked

to

sleep

by

the

ease

of

the

wagon's

wheels

upon

the

road.

Ansa

turned,

and

seeing

Clal's

eyes

closed

said,

“Clal!”

With

his

back

flat

on

the

wagon

bed

he

first

twitched,

then

jolted

onto

his

side.

She

giggled

then

said,

“awaken

by

your

sister

two

times

in

one

day?”

“I

wasn't

asleep.”

He

turned

around

away

from

her

and

tried

to

hide

his

smile.

“I

was

thinking.”

“And

what

were

you

thinking

about?,”

Emphasizing

the

word

thinking.

“That

dream

you

had

earlier

today?”

--- page 3 ---

“No.”

Clal's

answer

was

short,

for

now

he

rememebered

how

he

wanted

to

think

about

the

meaning

of

such

a

strange

dream.

Veins

and

hope.

It

was

quiere

but

did

not

seem

like

just,

any

other

dream.

There

was

some

depth,

weight

it

had

claim

upon.

Clal

sat

up

and

turned

toward

the

edge

of

the

wagon.

He

crawled

over

and

sat

at

the

end

of

the

wagon.

He

let

his

feet

dangle

over

the

edge

and

he

leaned

his

shoulder

against

the

wagon's

side.

There

he

watched

the

road

drift

away

like

a

river.

The

world

was

turning

and

he

was

moving

backwards,

the

wrong

way.

He

thought

of

this

very

think,

happening

in

his

dream,

at

the

end,

when

the

man,

the

son,

was

drifting

away

in

the

boat,

away

from

his

father,

as

he

himself

was

now.

There

was

that

darkness

in

the

sky,

and

the

black

depths

of

the

ocean,

not

unordinary

in

the

dark

of

night

upon

the

shore.

Clal's

thoughts

continued.

Who

were

these

two?

What

were

they

doing?

What

was

written

on

the

scroll?

What

had

they

said

about

there

will

be

hope

within

the

veins...

He

thought

about

some

of

the

details

and

remembered

that

they

had

been

traveling

through

a

countryside.

The

father

was

staying

behind

to

fight

off

some

evil

of

some

sort.

And

this

is

all

that

he

could

recall

for

now.

Ansa

had

moved

and

sat

beside

him

by

this

time.

She

was

looking

at

the

ground

too,

mezmorized

by

the

living

earth,

moving

and

swaying

as

they

moved

across

it.

“I'm

sorry

Clal.”

She

quitely

said.

“I

didn't

mean

to

cause

any

riff

between

us.

We

have

a

long

trip

and

I

was

hoping

to

make

it

a

good

one.”

“I'm

not

angry,

just

thinking.”

Clal

said.

“Your

words

put

me

into

that

sort

of

mood.

It's

alright.”

“Well,

can

we

talk

about

Eldan

a

bit.”

She

smiled

and

her

eyes

squinted.

“Of

course.”

Clal

winked.

All

her

life

she'd

waited

to

come

to

Eldan

Vyum,

and

now,

she's

halfway

there.

“When

we

get

there

you'll

be

going

in

the

direction

of

the

examination

place,

er,

what

do

they

call

it.”

Clal

chuckled,

“quarters,

Examination

quarters.”

“Right,

quarters.”

She

continued.

“I'm

supposed

to

finish

my

journey

on

the

other

side

of

town

and

pay

the

wagon

driver

as

I

leave

his

services.

I

am

to

house

with

the

woman

who

I

will

be

working

with

for

several

months.”

She

clasped

her

hands.

“Dresses

Clal,

dresses.

I'll

be

making

dresses.”

“Yes,

Ansa.”

He

shared

in

her

joy.

“And

you'll

do

a

fine

job.”

He

grabbed

one

of

her

hands

and

said,

“The

skill

of

a

fense

builder

and

rock

thrower

will

surely

come

in

handy

with

the

needle.”

She

tore

her

hand

from

his

grasp

and

threw

a

fake

but

comical

frown

on

her

face.

“You!”

She

said.

They

both

laughed

and

the

driver

turned

to

look

at

them.

With

a

shake

of

his

head

he

halted.

“It's

time

for

a

break.

I

must

water

my

mules.”

As

the

animals

were

lapping

at

a

nearby

pond,

Ansa

scooted

closer

to

Clal.

--- page 4 ---

“Clal,”

Ansa

began,

“Do

you

suppose

we'll

be

okay?

It's

been

such

a

long

time

since

we've

been

apart.

We

need

eachother.

It's

never

the

way

you

imagine

it...the

road

you

end

up

traveling

against

the

path

you

thought

would

be

yours.”

“Yes,

we'll

be

okay.

It's

all

new,

but

Turl

said

it

all

seems

to

work

out

in

the

end.

Or

something

like

that.”

She

slowly

nodded.

“Besides,”

he

continued,

“once

the

examinations

have

concluded,

I'll

be

off

to

work

in

the

blacksmith,

which

I

understand

is

not

too

far

from

where

you'll

be.”

“Right.”

Her

face

had

changed.

Clal

was

suspicious,

but

would

not

probe

for

the

answer

now.

After

a

time

the

driver

climbed

on

and

led

the

mules

onward

toward

Eldan

Vyum.

It

was

getting

dark

so

they

both

settledd

in

for

the

night.

The

summer

sun

had

warmed

the

air

and

Clal

fell

asleep

almost

instantly.

But

Ansa

had

not,

so

deep

in

thought

was

she.

She

could

only

watch

the

stars

dance

beyond

the

trees.

Overwhelmed

with

so

much

to

happen

yet,

she

began

to

shed

quiet

tears.

She

felt

alone,

the

final

state

of

her

waking

moments,

but

some

of

the

first

tears

she

will

shed

before

her

journey

is

through.

Chapter

3:

Of

Myths

and

Legends

Clal

awoke

with

a

start.

He

had

almost

forgotten

where

he

was

until

he

heard

the

monotonous

creakings

of

the

old

wagon

and

the

occasional

murmurings

of

the

driver.

The

forest

was

still

darkened

but

the

sky

was

a

blanket

of

powder

blue.

The

sun

was

at

their

rear,

barely

peaking

over

the

much

smaller

Crescent-Keep

mountain.

He

knew

that

Eldan

Vyum

was

straight

ahead.

Turl

had

told

him

of

the

wonders

of

the

examinations

and

of

the

details

of

his

journeys

to

the

center

kingdom.

His

father

had

instructed

him

regarding

the

history

of

the

event

and

why

it

was

performed

or

organized

each

year.

'It's

the

only

way

that

had

been

devised

and

conjured

to

find

him

who

has

been

named

keeper

of

our

fate.'

But

to

Clal,

it

was

a

quire

thing

required

of

the

people

of

Illia

and

didn't

quite

understand

the

details

of

the

whole

ordeal.

For

now

he

put

it

out

of

his

mind.

He

knew

things

would

make

sense

sooner

or

later.

Clal

turned

to

see

Ansa

stirring.

He

never

could

get

away

with

awaking

or

anything

with

his

dear

Ansa

sensing

her

brother's

whereabouts.

She

opened

one

eye

and

turned

her

head

to

Clal.

“I'm

hungry”

she

said.

“Then

eat”

Clal

replied.

He

smiled

as

she

felt

for

her

pack

and

pulled

out

some

bread.

She

ripped

off

a

piece

and

sunk

her

teeth

into

it.

She

closed

her

eyes

while

she

chewed.

“Mmm,”

She

tore

off

another

piece.

“Here,

Clal.

Try

some.”

He

took

her

offering

gratefully

and

chewed

on

their

mother's

finest

baking.

“Thank

you,”

he

said

once

finished.

“Your

welcome,”

she

said.

--- page 5 ---

Ansa

stood

up

in

the

wagon

and

propped

her

arm

on

the

side

of

the

wagon.

She

looked

far

and

near,

eyes

squinting.

She

had

spent

many

days

in

the

forest

and

had

even

taught

Clal

a

thing

or

two.

Her

eyes

were

keen

and

her

ears

like

a

fox.

Ansa

was

respected

among

her

kin.

She

was,

however,

somewhat

thin

but

had

beautiful

golden

brown

locks.

Her

face

was

as

welcoming

as

the

warm,

summer

sun

and

when

here

bright

brown

eyes

gazed

upon

you,

her

charm

was

unmatched.

Clal

also

stood

up

and

walked

toward

the

front

of

the

wagon.

“Driver?”

he

called.

“How

long

until

your

next

stop?”

The

driver

jumped,

almost

out

of

his

seat.

Clal

and

Ansa

looked

at

eachother

and

silently

held

back

their

laughing.

“Two

miles

till

we

reach

old

Meldin”

he

said,

though

mumbling.

“And

how

about

Eldan

Vyum.”

Clal

continued.

“Well,

tonight,”

he

said,

sounding

more

awake,

“if

things

go

as

planned.”

And

so,

for

two

miles

Clal

and

Ansa

conversed

about

many

things,

mostly

of

home,

and

of

the

things

they

would

miss

most.

Clal

included

those

they

would

miss

the

least.

This

part

of

the

conversation

was

unmatched

in

length

by

the

first

topic

of

discussion

for

their

parents

were

intent

on

bringing

them

up

right.

'Fields

to

till

and

animals

to

tend

to,'

Clal

said

with

his

face

and

voice

made

to

imitate

his

father's

stern

instructions.

'Ansa,

you're

knees

are

dirty

and

theirs

sticks

in

your

hair,'

Ansa

puffed

out

her

cheeks

in

imitated

frustration

as

her

mother

so

often

did.

They

both

laughed

as

they

were

accustomed

to

playfulness

almost

constantly.

Their

laughing

was

hushed,

however,

by

the

abrupt

halt

of

the

wagon.

The

driver

blew

his

horn

as

he

did

each

time

to

call

the

next

boy

to

board.

Clal

could

see

through

the

trees

a

small

cottage.

It

was

given

away

by

the

soft

puffs

of

smoke

that

filtered

through

the

leaves

of

a

nearby

tree.

The

driver

waited

a

moment

then

blew

his

horn

once

more,

this

time

longer.

After

another

long

pause

the

driver

waved

his

hand

in

the

direction

of

the

dwelling

and

whispered,

“'to

your

own

undoing.”

He

picked

up

the

reigns

and

flicked

his

mules

to

a

start.

But

Clal

saw

something

moving

in

the

distance,

behind,

no,

amid

the

trees.

“Driver!

Stop!”

Clal

said.

“I

will

not,”

the

driver

replied.

“Look.”

Clal

pointed

toward

the

home.

“Whoa,”

he

said

to

his

mules

who

halted.

There

among

the

trees

a

young

man

was

running,

waving

his

hand

frantically;

his

voice

was

faint

but

clear.

Clal

motioned

for

the

bounding

youth

to

join

them.

The

boy

stopped

waving

his

arms

and

sped

toward

them.

He

was

soon

at

their

side.

“You've

brought

your

payment

boy,

haven't

ye'.”

--- page 6 ---

“Oh

yes...sir,”

the

boy

bent

over,

taking

his

fair

share

of

the

morning's

crisp

air,

“I

have

indeed.”

After

a

moment

or

two,

he

walked

from

the

back

of

the

wagon

where

Ansa

and

Clal

were

standing

on

up

to

the

driver.

He

pulled

from

his

pouch

a

few

gold

pieces

and

gave

them

to

the

driver.

The

driver

looked

at

the

money

for

a

moment

then

said,

“The

fare

was

half

this

amount...”

The

boy

turned

the

drivers

fingers

to

cover

the

gold

and

said,

“Keep

it

fair

driver.

The

word

around

here

is

that

you

are

a

good

an

honest

man.”

The

boy

smiled.

“You

can

thank

my

mother

for

the

gift.”

“Well

then,

bless

you

lad.”

The

driver

tossed

the

coins

up

in

the

air,

grabbed

the

reigns

and

began

to

wistle

a

merry

tune.

The

young

man

waited

for

the

wagon

to

pass

him

then

he

hopped

into

the

wagon

and

threw

his

belongings

inside.

A

few

moments

went

by

and

Clal

was

already

suspecting

that

the

boy

was

fast

asleep.

But

as

soon

as

he

had

settled

it

in

his

mind,

the

new

comer

raised

himself

up

and

sat

upright.

“My

name

is

Ryth.”

he

bowed

his

head

slightly.

I

and

my

mother

are

a

few

of

the

only

dwellers

left

to

occuppy

the

beautiful

lands

of

Meldin.”

He

looked

at

Clal

and

then

to

Ansa,

then

back

to

Clal.

“Where

do

you

call

home?”

“The

Crescent

hills

just

at

the

eastern

foot

of

Crescent-Keep

Mountain.”

Clal

said.

“Have

you

been

there?”

“I've

heard

about

it

some”

Ryth

replied.

“But,

never

been

there,

though

I'd

like

to

sometime.”

Ansa

was

nibbling

on

some

cheese

and

had

begun

to

daze

off

as

she

looked

at

their

visitor.

Ryth

continued.

“So,

are

you

gooing

to

the

examination

too,

uh...what

did

you

say

your

name,

names

were?”

“My

name

is

Clal

Winden,”

Clal

pointed

to

his

sister,

“and

this

is

my

sister,

Ansa,”

She

scowled

at

him,

“uh,

twin

sister.”

“Pleased

to

meet

you

both”

Ryth

said.

“To

answer

your

question,

this

is

my

first

time

going

to

the

examination,”

Clal

looked

down

for

a

moment.

He

could

not

hide

his

anxiety

concerning

the

fact.

“Well,

I

can

show

you

around

a

bit”

Ryth

straightend

his

back

and

gained

a

few

inches

in

height

because

of

it.

“Last

year

was

my

first

year.

It

is

interesting,

but

things

won't

be

as

others

have

told

you,

if

they

have

at

all.

Each

year

seems

to

be

different,

they

say.

I

don't

know

how

that

could

be

since,

it

seems

pretty

simple

and

this

examination

has

been

going

on

since,”

Ryth

looked

up

above

him,

“since

the

beginning

of

time,

I

suppose.”

Clal

found

Ryth's

speech

confusing.

But

he

listened.

As

they

traveled

through

forests

and

valleys,

passed

lakes

and

rivers,

Ryth

spun

the

tales

of

Eldan

Vyum

and

all

that

goes

on

there.

The

more

he

spoke

the

less

he

answered

their

questions

and

the

more

questions

Clal

had.

Ryth

didn't

fully

understand

the

purpose

of

the

examination,

but

he

told

them

everything

that

he

knew

about

it.

--- page 7 ---

Since,

Ryth

lived

in

such

a

short

distance

from

Eldan,

it

wasn't

uncommon

for

him

to

travel

there

several

times

a

year.

“I

would

go

there

for

festivals

in

the

fall

and

spring,”

He

continued,

“and

take

jobs

for

weeks

at

a

time

to

support

my

family.”

“Then

why

didn't

you

take

your

onw

wagon

to

the

city?”

Ansa

asked,

truly

puzzled.

“Well,

my

mother

has

to

leave

this

year

because

she

needs

to

care

for

her

sister

who

recently

had

a

baby.

She

lives

some

miles

away

across

those

hills

over

there.”

“Well,

Clal,

what

do

you

like

doing

over

there

where

you're

from?”

Ryth

settled

in

a

bit

leaning

back

and

grabbed

ann

apple

from

his

satchel.

Clal

looked

out

into

the

forest

then

back

to

Ansa

then

to

Ryth.

“I

love

adventure.”

Clal

smiled.

“I

live

for

it.”

“You

know,”

he

continued,

“you

hear

so

many

stories,

legends,

myths,

folk

tales.

But

don't

you

ever

wonder

if

they

are

true?”

“Yes.”

Ryth

answered.

“There's

so

many

that

I've

often

wondered

about.”

Ryth

produced

half

a

smile.

“Like

Gulnerye's

legend

or...the

Pale

Forest.”

Ansa

leaned

over

to

join

the

conversation.

“Yes,

I

love

the

lengends

of

the

Island

that

disappeared

to

somewhere

and

the

mountain

that

was

moved.”

“Maybe

they've

met

up

a

time

or

two.”

Ryth

said

and

they

all

laughed.

“My

father

once

told

me

about

some

magical

desert

in

the

(west)

not

too

far

away

from

where

I've

been

living.”

Clal

said.

“Now

that

sounds

interesting,”

Ryth

squinted

his

vision

to

a

far

off

place

in

the

sky

and

said

halfway

to

himself,

“a

magical

desert.”

“And

then

ther's

the

story

about

turtle

rock

and

the

stairs

into

the

sea.”

Ansa

said.

“I've

always

wanted

to

go

to

the

sea.”

Then

Ryth

leaned

in

toward

Clal

and

Ansa.

He

stole

a

glance

at

the

driver

who

was

whistling

through

his

teeth.

It

was

well

past

noon

and

the

daylight

was

darkening.

In

somewhat

of

a

whisper

he

began.

“Do

you

want

to

hear

about

my

favorite

legend?”

Clal

and

Ansa

both

nodded.

“Have

you

ever

heard

of

the

legend

of

the

Dark

One

Lurking?”

Just

then

a

flock

of

black

birds

bolted

into

the

sky

from

beneath

a

nearby

cluster

of

bushes.

Ansa

screamed.

“What?”

the

driver

said

leaping

into

the

air

and

losing

his

hat

to

the

wind

in

the

process.

“Dear

girl,

there's

no

nead

to

get

excited

now.

Birds

are

birds.

They

come

and

they

go

as

they

please.

Don't

you

--- page 8 ---

have

those

kinds

of

animals

back

home?”

His

gruffy

voice

ended

abruptly.

Ansa

didn't

answer.

She

simply

turned

to

Ryth

and

gave

a

faint

smile

through

her

red

cheeks.

“Anyway,

the

dark

one

lurking...”

Ryth

was

speaking

in

a

whisper.

“The

dark

one

lurking?”

Clal

said.

“Yes.”

Ryth

said

getting

a

little

frustrated

at

the

inturruptions.

“Here's

how

the

legend

goes.

Long

ago

there

was

a

prized

posesion

that

a

boy

wanted

very

much.

It

was

owned

by

his

father

and

he

could

not

have

it.

When

he

realized

it

would

never

be

his,

his

lust

sealed

itself

to

the

eternal

pursuit

of

obtaining

it.

From

that

day,

poison

began

to

drip

drop

drip

drop

into

his

once

pure

heart.”

“How

utterly

sad,”

Ansa

said

as

she

raised

her

hands

to

cover

her

lips.

“What

was

it...or...is

it?

The

thing

he

wanted?”

Clal

said.

“I'm

getting

to

that.”

Ryth

looked

from

one

side

then

to

the

other,

then

to

the

driver.

He

continued.

“The

thing

that

he

most

desired

was

the

great

power

that

was

within

his

father's

possession.”

Ryth

held

out

his

hands

and

formed

like

he

was

holding

a

large

ball.

“It

was

a

stone,

solid

and

alive.

All

of

earth's

secrets

and

time's

mysteries

were

contained

therein.”

“It

was

enchanted!”

Ansa

exclaimed

and

gave

two

small

claps.

“Yes,

well...no...”

Ryth

looked

confused,

“I

don't

know

about

that,

but

it

held

great

and

grand

power.

In

fact,

there

was

none

greater.”

“Okay,

okay.

It's

powerful

and

really

important,”

Clal

whispered

with

his

eyebrows

lowered,

“Sorry,

but

what

happened

to

it?”

“Right,”

Ryth

held

out

his

hands

and

continued

to

gesture

while

he

continued

to

explain

the

legend.

“He

never

obtained

it.”

“Never?”

Clal

said.

“Never.”

Ryth

said.

“He

tried

to,

but

he

was

banashed

in

the

end.

He

was

banished

from

it

and

from

his

father's

kingdom.”

“But

how

do

you

know?”

Ansa

said.

“Well,

look

around

us.”

Ryth

raised

his

hands

into

the

air.

Clal

and

Ansa

looked

in

all

directions.

“What?”

they

both

said

in

unison.

“Is

the

world

destroyed

yet?”

Ryth

smiled.

“No,”

Clal

replied,

“Not

at

all.

It's

beautiful.”

--- page 9 ---

“Exactly.”

Ryth

continued.

“This

means

that

he's

probably

still

out

there...somewhere...still

waiting

for

someway

to

destroy

all

that

is

good.”

Ryth

tossed

his,

now,

very

narrow

apple

core

over

his

shoulder.

It

made

a

soft

thud

sound

as

it

landed

in

some

grass.

Clal

and

Ansa

cast

their

eyes

upon

the

shadows

of

the

forest.

The

sun

had

gone

down

and

the

trees

were

chattering

in

the

wind.

Day's

light

had

fizzled

out

just

minutes

ago,

except

for

the

ever

increasing

star

population

in

the

sky.

“But

that

also

means

that,“

Clal

sat

up,

“the

enchanted

ball

is

still

out

there

too...”

“...but

if

they

somehow

meet,

the

dark

one

lurking

and

the

great

stone

of

power,

our

world

will

surely

become

one

miserable

place.”

Ryth

opened

his

sack

again

and

shuffled

his

hand

around

inside

of

it.

“Or,

at

least

that's

how

the

legend

goes.”

Ryth

concluded

now

holding

a

small

flute

in

his

hands.

“I

have

never

heard

that

legend

before.”

Clal

said

turning

to

Ryth.

“Shouldn't

everyone

know

about

it.

I

mean,

it's

almost

like

the

whole

land

of

Illia

depends

upon

whether

it's

true

or

not.”

“Yeah.”

Ryth

said.

“You're

right.”

“And

shouldn't

there

be

things

that

we

should

be

doing

to...”

“Well

there

is.”

Ryth

suggested.

“Like

this

examination

we'll

be

at

tomorrow.

It's

how

they,

King

Nelbeird

and

his

mighty

knights,

have

decided

to,

I

guess,

prepare

for

what

might

be

instore.”

Ryth

thought

for

a

moment.

“Although,

if

they

find

the

one

person

they

are

looking

for,

I

think

that

person,

will

bear

most

of

the

weight.”

“So

tell

me,

what

goes

on

there

at

the

examination?”

Clal

began.

As

they

continued

to

talk

well

into

the

night,

Ansa

listened

to

their

voices

but

mostly

to

her

heart.

She

had

been

huddled

into

the

corner

of

one

side

of

the

wagon

for

some

time

now,

unnoticed

to

her

brother

and

their

shortly

aqainted

friend,

Ryth.

Every

part

of

her

hated

the

thought

of

a

dark

one

somewhere,

let

alone

him

lurking

around.

She

didn't

know

exactly

what

that

meant

but

it

sounded

terrible.

The

trip

from

home

began

so

peacefully

and

like

one

of

the

many

dreams

that

she

had

had

for

months

before

their

departure

today.

Now

it

has

turned

out

nothing

like

she

had

expected.

As

Ansa

began

to

doze,

she

noticed

through

the

star

light

that

Clal

was

now

laying

down.

Ryth

was

was

sitting

errect

but

Ansa

couldn't

tell

what

he

was

doing.

Then,

she

knew.

The

air

lifted

with

the

sound

of

a

garbin

flute.

It

was

a

soft

melody,

simple

but

sweet.

He

played

for

a

long

time

and

Ansa

seemed

to

hear

the

language

of

his

heart,

his

thoughts,

as

he

played.

He

played

many

songs

and

they

were

all

so

different.

It

softened

her

heart

and

her

displeasure

regarding

the

legend

he

had

told

them

was

now

replaced

with

an

instant

love

and

admiration

for

his

music.

That

night

she

dreamed

of

silver

clouds

and

with

golden

wings

and

of

flying

upon

the

winds

above.

Chapter

4:

Eldan

Vyum

(The

City

of

Many

Moons)

They

all

awoke

within

a

few

minutes

of

eachother

to

a

brisk

and

chilly

morning.

The

sun

soon

warmed

them

up

and

they

shared

their

food

with

eachother.

--- page 10 ---

“Ho,

Driver,”

Ryth

said

when

he

finished

his

meal,

“Are

there

any

more

stops

between

here

and

Eldan

Vyum?”

“One

lad,”

the

driver

exclaimed,

“then

we'll

hurry

along

and

be

there

by

noon.”

Before

they

knew

it,

the

driver

was

calling

out

for

his

team

to

slow.

Three

boys

were

standing

on

the

side

of

the

lane.

One

was

kicking

rocks,

another

searching

through

his

sack,

and

the

other

just

waited

and

watched.

“Examination

boys?”

the

driver

asked.

“Yes

sir,”

they

said

in

unison.

“Payment?”

the

driver

said

holding

out

his

calloused

and

fat

hand.

They

paid

him.

“Okay

now,”

he

swung

his

hand

with

his

thumb

out

back

behind

him.

“To

the

rear.”

The

boys

waited

as

the

wagon

rolled

past

them.

Then

Ryth

extended

his

hand

and

helped

them

each

in.

“Welcome,”

Ryth

said.

The

trip

from

then

until

the

arrival

at

Eldan

Vyum

went

fast.

The

new

comers

were

not

much

for

talking.

One

slept

the

whole

way

there,

another

was

content

with

looking

at

the

scenery.

The

other

was

fidgeting

with

some

split

wood

on

the

side

of

the

wagon

wall.

Clal

wanted

to

talk

with

Ryth

about

legends

again

but,

the

new

company

prevented

him

to.

He

would

have

pressed

his

company

for

conversation,

but

he

was

busy

with

his

own

thoughts

and

intentions.

He

had

had

dreams

last

night

that

furthered

his

understanding

of

his

dream.

There

was

more

two

the

story

there.

More

dialogue

between

the

two

men,

father

and

son.

In

the

dream

Clal

seemed

more

aware

and

was

able

to

look

around

at

his

surroundings,

like

he

controlled

the

scene

just

a

little

bit

more.

He

still

hoped

to

tell

Ansa

about

the

details,

but

he

didn't

seem

to

feel

that

the

time

was

right

to

do

so.

“Look

Clal,”

Ansa

shouted.

“That

must

be

Eldan

Vyum,

the

central

kingdom.”

She

clasped

her

hands

together

and

raised

her

shoulders

slightly.

“It's

beautiful.”

And

it

was.

The

city

had

been

established

in

a

valley

that

was

near

a

mountain

range

in

north.

There

were

clusters

of

buildings

close

together

connected

by

roads

and

paths.

Smoke

was

rising

from

several

establishments

and

there

could

be

seen

people

in

the

distance

moving

about.

Today,

however,

was

the

day

before

the

examination

and

the

town

was

busy

and

bustling.

There

were

wagons

and

and

extra

influx

of

Illians.

There

were

yellow

and

blue

bannars,

merchants

in

the

streets,

and

songs

upon

the

breeze.

Clal

almost

didn't

notice

the

great

castle

of

the

city.

It

was

located

high

upon

the

chief

mountain

in

the

mountain

range.

It

was

half

way

up

the

mountain.

The

pathway

up

to

it

zig-zagged

from

the

city

to

it's

front

gates.

It

was

gray

with

white

lines

of

stone

that

had

been

placed

carefully

by

design.

There

were

many

spires

and

look

out

points.

Clal

stared

in

disbelief

and

wondered

how

many

years

and

men

it

took

to

create

such

a

masterful

structure.

Instantly,

Clal

had

a

desire

to

step

foot

inside

the

castle

and

experience

the

spelendor

and

magnifisance

that

it

would

surely

offer.

He

noticed

Ryth

smile

and

turned

--- page 11 ---

to

ask

him

about

it.

To

Clal

and

Ansa

it

was

spectacular.

To

Ryth,

he

looked

for

something

anew

and

changed

within

the

all

too

firmiliar

festivities.

He

was,

however,

amazed

in

a

different

way.

“It's

the

celebration

that

you

see,

Clal,”

Ryth

said,

“the

festivities

for

the

examination.”

Ryth

stopped

thinking

for

a

moment.

He

looked

into

the

sky

and

thought.

His

gaze

then

went

to

his

boots,

which

he

shifted.

Finally,

his

gaze

swept

over

all

that

were

in

the

wagon.

“In

recent

years

the

festivities

and

celebrating

have

overwhelmemd

the

event's

original

meaning

and

purpose...which

was

to

find

the

one;

he

must

be

named.”

“Have

you

been

there?”

“Yes,”

Ryth

said,

“And

you

will

too,

within

the

hour.”

“That's

where

the

examination

is

held?”

Clal

looked

surprised.

It

had

never

occurred

to

him

that

the

examination

would

be

held

there,

within

the

castle.

“Yes

Clal,

it's

that

important.”

Ryth

looked

puzzled.

“The

finding

of

the

one

must

be

a

success.

He's

got

to

be

found,

and

soon.”

Ryth

pulled

Clal

closer

too

him.

“There

are

signs,

things

happening

that

suggest

evil

is

gaining

on

the

good

of

the

world.”

Ryth

stopped,

“Listen,

once

we

get

there...well,

if

I've

got

answers,

I'm

glad

to

provide

them.”

He

smiled.

“And

since

you've

got

questions...”

“Okay,

it's

a

deal

then.”

Clal

said.

The

old

man's

wagon

climbed

a

small

hill

carrying

six

young

youth,

five

lad

and

one

maiden.

The

three

boys

stayed

sitting

down,

but

Clal,

Ryth,

and

Ansa

all

stood

up

together.

All

was

quiet

as

except

for

the

usually

squecking

of

the

wagon

and

the

swishing

of

the

mules'

tails.

They

approached

the

gate

to

the

city

and

as

they

passed

through,

Clal

and

Ansa

looked

at

eachother

and

said

in

unison,

“We're

here.”

As

they

continued

to

move

through

the

main

parts

of

the

city,

there

were

streets

that

stretched

in

every

direction,

this

way

and

that.

Houses

and

buildings

lined

every

street.

Clal

turned

around

and

noticed

that

other

wagons

were

following

them

with

other

boys

that

were

just

like

him.

Some

had

old

drivers,

but

some

had

younger

drivers.

And

still,

there

was

one

woman

driver,

thin

and

weapy.

“Clal,”

Ansa

said

tugging

his

arm

then

looking

at

her

paper.

“I

think

this

is

where

I

stop.”

Ryth

put

out

his

hand

and

motioned

her

to

hand

him

the

paper,

“May

I?”

Ansa

obeyed.

Ryth

read

the

note

then

scanned

the

city.

“I

believe

it's

a

bit

out

of

our

way.

So

I

suggest

we

get

off

this

wagon

and

set

you

up

with

your

Madam

Prinkle,

and

Clal

and

I

travel

up

to

the

castle

before

the

sun

sets.

“I

say

it's

a

good

plan!”Clal

said.

“How

about

you

sis?”

“Yes.

It'll

be

fun

to

walk

around

a

bit.”

said

Ansa”

“Hey,

driver,

good

sir.

We'd

like

to

get

off

here.”

Ryth

said.

--- page 12 ---

“Whoa.

Whoa.”

He

stopped

his

mules.

“Right

here

at

this

very

spot?

What

dya

et

fur

breakfast

lad?”

“Well,”

Ryth

stuttered,

“Nothing

yet...bu...b...that'

not

the

point

sir.”

“Well

get

on

with

it

then.”

The

driver

was

beginning

to

look

cross

and

impatient.

Clal

stepped

in

front

of

Ryth.

“Have

we

paid

you

in

full

sir?”

“Yes,

I

believe

so.”

the

driver

said.

“Well

then

we

thank

you

for

your

services.”

Clal

said

smilling

a

wide

smile.

“Good

day

sir.”

“Oh,”

the

driver

replied

as

they

jumped

off

the

wagon

and

began

walking.

He

held

up

his

hand

with

his

reigns

in

his

clasp

and

siad,

“I'm

supposed

to

give

an

eye

witness

accounting

of

your

safe

delivery

to

the

King's

men.

Now

this

will

complicate

things.

These

three

lads

might

need

to

serve

as

witnesses,

if

they

must.”

Ryth

waved,

“Oh

don't

worry,

we'll

make

it

there

by

night

fall.”

The

driver

whipped

the

reigns

and

the

mules

started

up

their

trotting

again.

The

three

young

men

were

all

staring

at

the

Clal

and

his

companions.

The

clip-clop

of

the

mules'

hooves

slowly

died

away.

Chapter

5:

Through

the

Castle

Walls

Ryth

led

them

along

a

journey

of

winding

ways

through

the

city.

Ocassionally

he

would

ask

a

person

on

the

street

for

directions.

Some

would

put

up

their

hand

and

shake

their

head,

others

would

point.

It

was

a

very

big

city.

When

turned

to

position

himself

in

relation

to

the

Eldan

Castle,

it

was

now

the

size

of

a

small

stone

upon

the

hill

sized

mountain;

a

toy.

On

and

on

they

went.

Though

Ansa

knew

the

driver

could

not

have

brought

her

directly

here,

she

didn't

anticipate

having

to

travel

so

far.

Finally,

their

hopes

were

dashed

when,

after

having

finally

found

“Madam

Prinkle's

Stitchery”,

the

place

was

empty.

“Uhg,”

Ansa

said

as

she

stomped

her

foot

on

the

ground

creating

a

dust

cloud.

She

sat

down

and

began

to

cry.

Ryth

stopped

walking

and

stared.

His

experience

with

the

females

was

entirely

different.

He'd

never

seen

his

mother

cry.

She

shot

and

killed

as

many

dear

and

boar

as

Ryth

himself.

And

his

aunt,

he's

only

met

once.

“Ansa.”

Clal

waited

to

speak

until

she

looked

at

him,

“I

know

you

are

anxious

and

scared

and

are

feeling

many

other

things.

You've

had

a

long

journey

so

far.

Please

don't

cry.”

“But

what

are

we

going

to

do,

Clal?”

She

said

wiping

her

face

with

her

sleeve.

“

“Well,”

Clal

thought.

He

sat

down

beside

his

sister.

“Father

sent

you

here

to

Eldan

to

work,

am

I

right?”

--- page 13 ---

“Yes,

but...”

“And

he

sent

you

to

work

for

Madam

Prinkle's

Stitchery,

right?”

“Yes.”

she

said.

“Ansa

I

think

we

should

find

out

more

about

this

Prinkle

woman.”

Clal

said.

“Maybe

she's

out

for

the

moment,

or

off

for

the

day.

How

does

you

father

know

this

woman

anyway?”

Ryth

added.

Clal

didn't

know,

but

Ansa

replied.

“Mother

has

known

Madam

Prinkle

for

years

and

sent

her

letter

this

past

April.

Mother

mentioned

that

I

was

getting

old

enough

to

work

and

inquired

on

any

places

she

knew

of

who

was

accepting

work.

Madam

Prinkle

wrote

back

informing

her

that

she

had

aquaired

a

stichery

shop

and

could

use

some

help.

Her

invitation

has

brought

me

thus

far.”

She

let

her

hands

fall

and

flap

against

her

thighs.

She

shook

her

head.

Ryth

looked

around,

“Suppose

we

find

you

a

place

to

sleep

for

the

night,

then

we'll

meet

you

in

the

morning.

But

where

to

go

there's

no

knowing.”

“Oh,

there

must

be

some

place

to

sleep

in

this

town,

an

inn,

a

tavern.”

Ansa

said.

“It's

funny,”

Ryth

began,

“As

we

walked

through

town

I

noticed

many

buildings

that

one

would

call

an

inn.

But

being

the

celebration

of

the

examination,

their

windows

had

signs

that

said,

“No

Room,”

or

“No

Beds

Left”.”

Ryth

shrugged,

“Finding

a

place

to

stay

could

prove

to

be

nothing

short

of

a

miracle.”

“Well

you

just

can't

leave

me...”

Ansa

said.

“...Ansa,

we'll

figure

this

out.”

Clal

said

standing

up

and

pulling

her

up

along

with

him.

Clal

led

them.

He

had

seen

a

few

inns

and

taverns

along

the

way.

He

thought

that

he

might

be

able

to

find

one.

They

walked

down

main

roads

as

the

stars

moved

in

the

sky

above.

There

were

homes,

and

shops,

and

fields

on

the

outskirts.

But

only

a

few

places

had

lights

on

still.

There

was

one

place

in

particular

that

shed

the

brightest

light.

It

was

upon

the

door

of

this

one

that

Clal

finally

knocked.

The

light

blue

sign

that

was

attached

on

the

door

read,

“Haven's

Inn”.

It

was

graced

with

a

yellow

flower.

The

dim

glow

that

had

shown

in

the

window

increased

in

brightness.

The

door

lever

turned

and

there

before

them

was

a

squinting

older

woman

waving

them

in.

“Well

hello

young

travelor's,”

the

inn

keeper

studied

her

new

arrivals.

“You

look

a

bit

worn

in

ware

and

spirit.

How

many

I

help

you?

Are

you

looking

for

room

and

board?”

“Yes,

mam,”

Ansa

began.

She

was

timid

but

confident.

“We

were

supposed

to

be...er...the

place

where

I

was

to

go

was

all

closed

up.

The

lady

wasn't

there.

So

now

we

are

looking...or...that

is,

I

am

looking

for

a

place

to

sleep

for

the

night

until

I...or

we

figure

out

this

whole

mess...”

“I

understand

deary.”

She

was

nodding

slowly.

“I'm

old

enough

to

be

your

grandmother

and

I

think

I'll

treat

you

as

such,

if

that's

alright

with

you.”

--- page 14 ---

Ansa

looked

at

Clal

who

looked

at

Ryth.

“I

do

have

a

room

open

on

the

second

floor.

With

all

of

the

hussle

and

bussle

going

on

for

the

examination,

that's

my

only

one

left.

Granted,

I

am

a

small

inn.”

Ansa

nodded,

“Okay,

I'll

take

it!”

The

old

woman

walked

behind

the

counter

leaving

the

three

of

them

in

the

entryway.

“Fine,

fine.”

She

said.

“The

cost

is

twenty

pieces

of

silver

a

day,”

she

winked,

“at

the

most.”

Ryth

began

digging

in

his

satchel.

“And

how

long

can

I

expect

you

to

stay

here?”

the

lady

asked.

“One

day,

I

believe...or

maybe

two.”

Ansa

folded

her

arms

and

shifted

her

stance.

“Well,

I'm

not

sure.”

“How

about

one

day,

then

we'll

go

from

there.”

The

woman

nodded.

Ryth

handed

the

twenty

silver

pieces

to

the

woman

swift

as

a

bird

in

flight.

As

the

twins

turned

around

in

protest

he

put

his

hand

up.

Without

a

word

Clal

and

Ansa

accepted

the

offering

with

their

smiles

and

they

all

turned

to

the

woman.

“My

name

is

Gwenaea,

long

time

owner

and

operator

of

Haven's

Inn.”

She

smiled

the

widest

smile

Clal

had

ever

seen.

“And

what

might

your

names

be?”

“I

am

Ansa

this

is

my

twin

brother

Clal.

We

are

from

the

cresent

hills

to

the

west.”

“I've

come

for

the

examination

then

to

work.”

“And

my

name

is

Ryth,

a

dweller

of

Meldin.”

“Ah,

Meldin,”

Gwenaea's

eyes

lit

up.

“I've

been

there

a

time

or

two.

It's

a

beautiful

place

and

rich

in

resources.”

As

Ansa

was

shown

to

her

room

the

boys

followed.

They

talked

with

Gwenaea

all

about

their

travels

and

their

plans.

She

was

a

good

listener

and

seemed

to

have

a

great

measure

of

wisdom.

Before

long

it

was

obvious

that

the

three

were

ready

to

part.

“Well,

you

are

wonderful

people.

I

am

very

pleased

to

meet

you

and

to

learn

all

about

you.”

Gwenaea

patted

Clal

on

the

back,

“Clal,

I

will

take

care

of

your

sister

until

the

time

comes

that

things

change

in

her

better

fortune.

She's

safe

here,

not

that

she's

in

any

real

danger

here

in

Eldan

Vyum.”

Clal

nodded

and

Gwenaea

descended

the

stairs

and

was

gone.

“Okay

Ansa,

here's

what

we'll

do.

Ryth

and

I

will

attend

the

examination,

finish

up

with

the

festivities,

and

so

forth.

I'll

stop

by

the

blacksmith's

simply

to

make

contact,

confirm

that

he'll

take

me

on

as

a

hired

hand,

and

to

drop

my

things

off.

Then,

we

should

meet

up

with

you

by

night

fall.”

“Okay,”

Ansa

cocked

her

head

slightly,

“but

what'll

I

do

in

the

meantime?”

--- page 15 ---

“Well,

try

to

find

out

more

about

this

Madam

Prinkle

lady.

You

still

need

a

job,

don't

you?”

Ryth

said.

“Yes.

But...”

She

stuttered.

“Okay,

it's

scary

and

confusing

and

new,

I

know,

“Clal

said.

“But

you're

a

Winden,

and

that

makes

all

the

difference.”

Clal

sighed,

he

didn't

want

to

leave

Ansa

like

this,

emotionally

spent

and

confused.

He

really

didn't

know

what

to

say.

Then

a

comforting

thought

came

and

he

knew

that

would

be

the

doorway

for

all

of

them

to

continue

upon

their

semi-self

appointed

journey.

Clal

continued,

“Gwendaea

seems

like

a

real

nice

lady,

a

friend

springing

up

like

a

yellow

flower

out

of

desert

soil.”

“She'll

take

care

of

you.”

Ryth

said.

“She

will,

can't

you

feel

it.

She's

just

what

we

needed,”

Clal

said,

“and

maybe

we

can

help

her

in

some

small

way

in

the

process.

And

Ansa,”

She

was

sitting

on

the

bed

with

her

belongings

sitting

on

her

lap

still.

Clal

took

both

of

her

hands

in

his,

“any

time

you're

feeling

worried

or

don't

know

how

to

find

Madam

Prinkle,

just

come

back

to

Haven's

Inn.

It

will

work

out.

We'll

come

and

find

you

here.”

Ansa

broke

in,

“Okay,

okay,

I

feel

better.”

She

smiled.

“You

boys

can

go

now.

I

don't

know

how

they're

going

to

let

you

into

the

castle

now.”

“Right.

Well...”

Clal

stood

up

and

Ryth

walked

through

the

door.

“Take

care

and

we'll

see

you

tomorrow

evening

at

the

latest.”

They

embraced,

then

Clal

walked

out

of

her

room

and

followed

Ryth

down

the

stairs.

Just

before

her

room

door

was

out

of

sight

he

turned

around.

She

was

standing

under

the

door

sill

her

smile

now

sunken

and

her

eyes

were

twinkling.

He

knew

those

were

tears.

He

waved.

Ansa's

hand

waved

a

slow

small

wave.

Clal

tried

everything,

but

he

knew

that

it

was

only

in

her

heart

that

she

could

find

the

springs

of

hope

and

laughter.

New

Chapter:

It

was

night

fall

now,

and

Clal

could

see

the

crescent

moon

shining

off

the

castle

walls.

Ryth

was

leading

Clal

up

the

long

and

ascending

path

way

to

where

they

would

soon

be

in

front

of

the

castle

gate.

The

examination

was

tomorrow,

and

as

accustomed,

the

king's

knights

would

be

found

standing

in

front

of

the

gate

all

night

instead

of

closing

the

gate

at

dusk.

They

were

approaching

a

flat

part

of

their

ascent

when

a

man

lept

out

in

front

of

Clal

and

knocked

him

to

the

ground.

The

attacker

had

hit

him

in

the

side

of

his

head

with

a

stone.

Clal

struggled

to

raise

himself

and

was

grateful

for

Ryth's

aid

in

this

endeavor.

He

brushed

himself

off

and

looked

all

around

him.

He

spun

around

one

way

with

his

arms

out,

then

he

jumped

yet

in

another

direction.

Ryth

watched

with

his

hands

on

his

hips.

He

noticed

that

Clal

had

a

natural

ability

or

had

developed

it,

the

ability

to

protect

himself

and

defend

himself

with

his

body.

He

thought

he

might

try

his

strength

and

agility

some

time

to

test

it.

But,

all

the

while,

the

scene

was

comical

like

a

cat

chasing

his

tail.

“Clal,

what

are

you

doing?”

“That

man,”

Clal

said

out

of

breath.

“Where

did

he

go?”

--- page 16 ---

“There

wasn't

anyone.

No

one

attacked

you.”

Ryth

pointed.

“Just

look

to

your

right.”

Clal

turned.

The

crescent

moon

was

reflecting

off

of

a

statue,

of

a

man,

holding

a

sword

in

one

hand

and

his

other

arm

raised

in

the

air.

“It's

the

statue

of

Seldonolum.”

Ryth

said.

“Seldonolum?”

Clal

whispered.

“Seldonolum.

There

are

many

legends

left

untold

and

some

told

and

retold.

And

now

we've

added

yet

another

legend

to

share.

This

here

is

a

statue

made

out

of

the

finest

stone

that

illia

has,

deep,

deep

in

it's

virtues;

it's

called

heart

stone.

Generations

ago

the

psalms

of

the

White

Princess

were

heard

through

out

the

land,”

Ryth

raised

his

arm

and

pointed

to

the

statue,

“and

she

sang

of

him.”

Ryth

began

to

sing.

O

Seldinolum,

O

Seldinolum

The

North

Star

calls

for

you

The

leaves

are

falling

for

the

good

That

you

will

bring

anew

O

Seldinolum,

O

Seldinolum

The

west

wind

calls

for

you

Your

feet

will

shine

above

the

land

Each

step

will

bring

the

truth

O

Seldinolum,

sweet

Seldinolum

The

southern

country

sings

Of

one

who's

task

will

save

us

all

Give

place

where

new

life

springs

O

Seldinolum,

our

Seldinolum

The

eastern

shores

do

hum

The

tune

of

hope

that

truth

previals

By

that

Seldinolum

When

finished

Clal

looked

at

the

face

of

the

man.

It

was

half

in

moonlight

and

half

in

shadow.

The

man

was

in

the

middle

of

an

attack

with

sword

swipping

downward

and

face

curled

as

if

in

pain

or

excerting

much

physical

force.

But

somewhere,

inside

of

Clal

he

smiled,

and

small

flame

ignited.

He

knew

that

this

man

would

mean

more,

to

him

some

day.

As

Clal

looked

upon

the

stone

figure,

his

gaze

passed

by

it

and

fixed

upon

another

statue.

He

then

turned,

and

there

was

another,

then

another,

five

in

total.

One

in

the

middle

and

four

surrounding

forming

a

square.

“Ryth,”

he

said,

“What

is

going

on

here?

What

is

this

place?”

“It's

the

place

of

Amnber.

There's

the

Dragon's

Perch...”

“Dragon?”

“...and

the

place

of

the

five

stones...and

the

lady

of

Illia...”

--- page 17 ---

“What

is

all

this?”

Clal

whispered

rubbing

his

eyes.

“...and

an

inscription

which

is

called

“The

Prophecy”...and

finally,

a

statue

called

“The

Four

Lost

Guardians.”

Ryth

walked

over

to

Clal

and

put

his

arm

around

his

back,

“We

best

be

getting

off

up

the

road.

If

we

don't,

that

driver

is

going

to

be

in

a

whole

mess

of

trouble

claiming

he

brought

us

when

really,

we

never

showed

up.

They

walked

up

the

road

and

were

soon

before

the

castle

gate.

Ryth

approached

the

knight

blocking

the

entrance.

He

looked

at

Clal

and

then

back

at

the

knight.

“Sire,

we're

here

for

the

examination.”

“Your

name

please.”

“Ryth

Willowback.”

“Clal

Winden.”

As

soon

as

Clal

said

his

name

there

was

a

sudden

rustling

noise

in

the

trees

and

Clal

jearked

his

head

toward

it.

He

thought

he

saw

some

movement,

not

low

upon

the

ground,

but

higher

up,

perhaps

the

head

of

a

man.

He

wasn't

sure.

He

was

took

a

few

steps

that

direction

but

just

then

the

knight's

voice

pulled

him

from

the

moment.

“You

are

free

to

enter.”

He

then

nodded

toward

toward

one

of

the

knights.

Two

fell

out

of

rank

and

led

Clal

and

Ryth

up

the

stone

walkway

and

down

several

halls.

Clal

could

only

see

what

the

knight's

torches

illuminated.

Shadows

danced

and

provided

unknown

depths

to

their

darkness.

Soon

they

approached

too

gigantic

wooden

doors.

The

guards

there

lifted

some

levers

and

heaved

it

outward.

The

hinges

were

silent.

Though

the

doors

were

large,

the

hallway

behind

was

narrow

and

descended

until

they

reached

a

flat

surface.

The

torch

of

the

guards

lit

up

only

a

part

of

the

room.

But

as

his

eyes

swept

across

the

scene,

it's

size

was

enourmous.

Far

to

the

back,

to

the

right,

to

the

left,

and

he

even

thought

he

saw

some

other

placed

that

could

be

some

stairs,

maybe

five

or

six

that

led

up

to

another

section

of

the

room.

He'd

never

seen

the

likes.

“Clal,”

Ryth

whispered,

“Let's

put

our

packs

here

just

like

the

others.”

Clal

looked

at

the

floor

now.

There

were

hundreds

of

sleeping

boys

now

in

view;

all

of

them

there

to

be

examined,

maybe

one

of

them

to

be

named

this

year.

In

all

the

wonder

he

had

forgotten

the