Emerald of the Elves (44 page)

“And when will the clearing take place?” asked General Gregor.

“At sunrise the day following Prince Oscar’s announcement,” grinned Arik. “I want the people of Alcea to witness for themselves the work of their king. It will give them a spirit that Sarac will be frustrated trying to break.”

“Excellent,” grinned Zackary. “We should send fairies out with the image of Prince Oscar’s speech. Let the whole realm be ready to witness the miracle of the Sword of Heavens.”

“Nothing will endear the people of Alcea more closely to you than this,” complimented Alex. “I think you have grown into a king. Your grandmother would have been very proud of you.”

“And when Sarac’s people arrive at Mya,” nodded General Gregor, “they will find nothing but an empty city. Where will you be?”

“The Knights of Alcea will be on our way back to Tagaret,” replied the king. “We will probably arrive here before Sarac’s people get to Mya.”

“The Knights of Alcea,” echoed General Gregor. “I remember your father saying those words to me so long ago. I had forgotten about them completely. Is this what your group is to be known as now?”

“It is,” affirmed Arik. “I want tunics made up for the Knights. The tunics will bear the emblem of Alcea that appears on our banner. There will be times when it will be advantageous for the banner to be seen.”

“That could make the Knights targets for attack,” warned Alex.

“At times,” nodded Arik, “but the tunics will be worn only when they will prove to be beneficial.”

“Like after the fall of Trekum?” posed Tanya. “Are you planning to be visible then to capture the hearts of the defenders of Trekum?”

“That is exactly what I have in mind,” grinned Arik. “Let rumors spread about the awesome privilege of wearing the tunic, so that when one is seen, it causes a certain amount of respect. At that point, those wary of listening to reason will be more apt to give the speaker a chance to be heard.”

“You have grown,” smiled Jenneva. “I see some of Oscar’s brilliance emerging in you.”

“Tedi and Natia would want to go with us,” interjected Bin-lu. “She wants to see the clearing for herself.”

“It would raise your standing with the gypsies,” nodded Alex. “Having Tedi with us would be welcome, too.”

“Fetch them quickly, Bin-lu,” agreed Arik. “I do not plan to dally here. We leave immediately for Elderal. General, we need a horse for Prince Darok. He was forced to leave his in Trekum.”

“I will arrange for one on my way out,” offered Bin-lu. “What about Wylan? I know that we cannot bring him with us, but will he at least get to wear the tunic of the Knights of Alcea? It would mean a great deal to him even if he cannot see it.”

“Wylan deserves a tunic,” Arik nodded sadly. “He will at least be able to feel the stitching. How is he doing?”

“He is doing somewhat better,” answered Bin-lu. “Sheri is good for his spirits, and I spend what time I can with him.”

“There is an elf named Garong,” interjected General Gregor. “He is at Klandon. He is the one who brought word about Sarac’s people. He will want to meet with you at Elderal.”

“Have Duke Altaro give him a horse,” responded Arik. “Tell him to meet us on the road that separates Elderal from Klandon at the point closest to Tagaret. He will be necessary for us to enter the hidden glade.”

“I will return promptly with Tedi and Natia,” promised Bin-lu as he left the gathering.

* * *

Arik dozed while Chaco carried him along the road leading to Elderal. Each of the Knights had taken turns at dozing so they would be fresh for the run from Elderal after the clearing. Prince Darok rode up alongside Arik and nudged him gently. Arik awoke, instantly alert.

“I smell an elf,” Prince Darok said softly, his large nose swelling as he inhaled.

Alex turned and looked at the dwarf and nodded to indicate that he had heard the statement. The Knights of Alcea immediately prepared for battle. The tenseness eased as Garong stepped onto the road.

“Greetings, Valon,” smiled the elf. “Have you found the Book of Things?”

“I have,” nodded Arik.

“Then let us make haste,” grinned Garong as he stepped off the road and reappeared on his horse. “Your Rangers have led Sarac’s people away from my homeland, but they may return unexpectedly.”

“They will be back soon,” sighed Arik, “but I do not think they will be interested in the elves when they come. Your people should let them ride through unmolested.”

“As long as they do not try to attack you,” added Alex.

“So it shall be,” agreed the elf. “Follow me.”

Garong led the way through the forests of Elderal. He moved with the uncanny sense of direction that only a native of the forests could. Several hours later, he halted.

“Are all of the members of this party loyal to Valon?” Garong asked.

“They are,” guaranteed King Arik.

“Then you shall see what the illusion looks like,” grinned Garong as he turned and proceeded at a walk. The Knights of Alcea followed him until they came to the shore of a huge lake. Off in the distance, a waterfall tumbled down into the pristine lake.

“This is the hidden glade?” gasped Arik. “No wonder nobody accidentally rides through it.”

“It has served us well for close to twenty years,” grinned Garong as an archway into the hidden glade shimmered and appeared.

He turned and led the Knights of Alcea through the archway and into the hidden glade. Elven archers immediately ringed the newcomers with arrows nocked. Garong waved them off and shouted that Valon had returned. The word spread quickly through the elven homeland as hundreds of elves began to gather near the gazebo. By the time the Knights reached the gazebo, there were over a thousand elves ready to receive them. Queen Lyander stood at the edge of the gazebo watching their approach.

“Valon has returned,” she remarked. “The people of Elderal bid you welcome. Speak to me, Garong.”

“The people of Klandon are now part of Alcea,” he reported. “They welcomed me as a friend and ally. Soldiers from Tagaret are responsible for luring Sarac’s men out of Elderal. Most importantly, Valon has returned with the Book of Things.”

Instantly the gathering of elves became very noisy as word spread through their ranks. The queen held up her hand for silence and the elves immediately obeyed.

“So you have come to fulfill our prophecy,” the queen declared without emotion. “May I see the Book of Things?”

Arik dismounted, as did the other Knights. He walked to the gazebo and presented the velvet purse to the elven queen. She opened the purse and pulled the Book of Things free. Her eyes grew wide as she examined the ancient book. Slowly, a smile spread across her lips and she held the book up for all to see.

“Valon has completed his sacred quest,” she announced loudly. “He has returned the Book of Things to the elven people of Elderal as prophesized. Let us now reveal the prophecy.”

The elven people gathered closer around the gazebo. When Queen Lyander sensed that they were ready, she led them in reciting the elven prophecy.

  The Emerald green - the Emerald bright

  The elven people shall not die

  Saves us all from eternal night

  Beneath the Dark One’s inky sky

  Valon bears a dragon’s wings

  And snake emblazoned on his chest

  He brings to us the Book of Things

  Discovered on his sacred quest

  The Emerald green – the Emerald bright

  Is given from the Elven horde

  Valon has earned the right

  For Elves to bow before their Lord

The entire assemblage of elves bowed low before King Arik. Even Queen Lyander bowed low. When she rose, she walked gracefully down the steps of the gazebo. She unclasped her necklace and presented it to Valon. Arik stared at the beauty of the gem.

“The necklace is not required,” declared Arik as he handed the necklace to Darok. “I shall have Prince Darok remove the Emerald of the Elves and return the necklace to you.”

The queen nodded as the dwarf removed a tool from his belt and extracted the gem. He handed the Emerald of the Elves to King Arik and the necklace to Queen Lyander.

“Are we to witness the clearing of the Darkness now?” asked Garong.

“We shall wait until the morning,” replied King Arik. “We shall catch some sorely needed sleep until then. As soon as we insert the Emerald of the Elves into the Sword of Heavens, my group will be leaving Elderal. It is this action that will spare the elves of Elderal from a conflict with Sarac’s minions.”

“Prince Garong will be going with you,” announced Queen Lyander. “He will be the representative from the elven people. He will be a constant reminder that the elves of Elderal stand ready to heed your call. Our people are now your people, Valon. We live to serve you.”

“I accept your fealty,” King Arik stated solemnly. “My pledge to you is to use your loyalty wisely and to protect the elven line for the future of our world.”

“It pleases me that you are considerate of the elves’ well-being,” smiled Queen Lyander. “You have alleviated my deepest fears. Long have I feared the coming of Valon. That fear multiplied when you were discovered to be a human, but you have already demonstrated your compassion and understanding. I think I represent my people well when I express my desire to serve you. Let this be the beginning of a wonderful union.”

More pleasantries were exchanged while the elves prepared a massive feast. Elven musicians played instruments that were unknown to Arik, while dishes of wild boar and venison were served. The celebration lasted well into the night, but the Knights of Alcea left the festivities early and went to sleep.

Arik awoke an hour before the first lightening of the sky. He sat lost in thought as he stared up at the Darkness. Tanya woke shortly after and came to sit next to Arik.

“You seem sad,” she observed. “You should be happy. What is the matter?”

“Several things,” replied Arik. “As I stare at the Darkness for the last time in Elderal, I am sad that I will not be able to dally in the morning to gaze upon the sun. A clearing of the Darkness has always been a moment of inspiration for me. I would like to stay and enjoy it.”

“But you cannot,” sighed Tanya. “Be heartened by the fact that the people of Alcea will be able to gaze upon the sun each and every day from now on. Your gift to them will last for eternity. What else ails you?”

“The fealty of the elves,” admitted Arik.

“I thought you handled that well last night,” smiled Tanya. “Do not be sad for their fealty. You are destined to be a wise and wonderful leader. All of your peoples have seen that in you. You are a blessing to them, not a curse.”

“I hope your words turn out to be true,” sighed Arik. “The fairies, the unicorns, the dwarves, and now the elves, all of them are wonderful peoples. They deserve much more than living under Sarac’s rule.”

“You are that much more that you speak of,” Tanya said warmly. “Let us get the others up and restore the Emerald of the Elves to the Sword of Heavens.”

Arik nodded and rose as he called to the others. The Knights of Alcea rose eagerly, as did the elven people of Elderal. Arik walked to the gazebo, and everyone gathered around him. He pulled the Sword of Heavens clear of its sheath and held the Emerald of the Elves in one hand. With a thought of inspiration, he handed the emerald to Queen Lyander.

“Stand beside me,” smiled Arik. “I will present the Sword of Heavens to you and you may place the emerald in its slot. Be careful of the sword as I must raise it over my head immediately.”

Queen Lyander smiled broadly as she nodded. Arik held the Sword of Heavens out before him. Queen Lyander placed the Emerald of the Elves into its slot. A loud click sounded throughout the glade. Arik raised the Sword of Heavens high over his head as a brilliant bolt of lightning streaked skyward from the ancient artifact.

The lightning bolt pierced the early morning Darkness with a thunderous explosion. Gasps and moans of pleasure rumbled through the elves as the Darkness rolled away. The clouds of Darkness rippled outward in concentric circles. High in the sky, clouds of pink and orange rested on a magnificent field of azure as the Darkness fled. Far off to the east, a burning globe of bright orange peeked through the trees. The elves of Elderal shouted with pleasure as the sun rose over the horizon.

THE END

Maps and information can be found at
http://www.rstuttle.com/

You can contact the author at: [email protected]