The Blade Heir (Book 1) (6 page)

"What's wrong, Siegfried?" Lucius asked.

"It's Father. He's gone to the Cyngorell to request our departure from Evingrad," the elf replied calmly.

"Departure? Whatever for? Does he mean to cast us out?"

Siegfried smirked. "No, Lucius. The time has come for us to go outside of Verdania and fulfill Zebulun's prophecy."

Lucius swallowed hard. "I do not think I am ready to embark on such a quest, brother."

"My father believes you are up to the task, which is why he has faced much opposition from the Council. We must go, Lucius," Siegfried said earnestly.

Lucius quickly got dressed and set out with Siegfried to the Council House where Helmer's appeals were taking place. Siegfried explained to Lucius the main cause for concern if they were not allowed to leave Evingrad. The Cyngorell considered it treason for any elf to step outside the forest of Verdania, except for those who bore the rank of Protectors or who were sanctioned by the Council. Quetulya was presiding over the proceedings and was against the idea of allowing anyone to leave the sanctuary of Evingrad, even Lucius. Lucius found it odd that the Councilor suddenly had a change of heart concerning a man dwelling among the elves. He could hardly wait to hear the Grand Councilor's reasoning for preventing his departure.

There was a slight chill in the morning air, and the grass was still wet from the dew overnight. Siegfried led him through the narrow winding roads to the center of the city. The sunlight gleamed in the east and trickled through the canopy of
Breninmaur
's branches. The few elf-children of the city played their wooden flutes and lyres on the rooftops of their houses and in the branches overhead. The sweet music they played was lost on Lucius, whose thoughts were on his adoptive father and what penalty he might face for confronting his fellow councilors. But as they neared the Tower of Evingrad, Lucius pondered his own fate and the revelations of the previous night. It seemed as though the whole land of Azuleah depended on him now— a frightening prospect. The music overhead began to crescendo, accompanying the growing anxiety Lucius felt at the thought of being cast out from Evingrad.
Will I ever hear such beautiful music in Azuleah again?

The Council House was a large marble building with a stained-glass, domed roof. The building stood a few feet away from the green seal where the tournament had been held the day before. Lucius and Siegfried ascended the long staircase of the Council House and opened the oak door. Inside there was a small amphitheater where the Cyngorell sat listening to Helmer. Daylight shone brightly in an array of colors through the stained glass onto Helmer, who stood behind an ornate podium as he spoke to his fellow Councilors. Quetulya stood behind a similar podium nearby and watched impatiently as he spoke.

Lucius and Siegfried sat down on marble benches designated for the general populace of Evingrad. They both listened closely as their father explained his case to the elves of Evingrad.

"I believe it is highly imperative we send Lucius and Siegfried to Sylvania to forge the Requiem Sword. My fellow councilors, I stand before you today to declare the time our elders spoke of has now come. Dark days are on the horizon for all peoples of this land ... for Kraegyn has returned to our world," Helmer said, his voice echoing through the room as the crowd gasped in response to the Black Dragon's name.

Quetulya's eyes studied the audience. "The Lord of Ghadarya was defeated ages ago at the hands of our ancestors, Reyeon and the King of Aldron in Arkadeus."

"Yes, but the Draknoir sorcerer, Scipio, uttered an incantation before his dying breath that sealed the Black Dragon's soul into the ruins of Arkadeus. Since that time, Scipio's descendant, Memnon, has succeeded him. Who can say whether he has aided the beast in garnering its full strength or not?" Helmer asked indignantly.

Quetulya scoffed, "It is not the purpose of this Council to consider possibilities, Lord Helmer, only realities. Even if what you say comes to pass, what does your son and Lucius have anything to do in the matter?"

Lucius straightened in his seat, eager to know the answer to the Councilor's question. Helmer grabbed a scroll from the top of his podium and unrolled it. He recited the elven poem Lucius had heard last night, but there were additional verses at the end he had not heard. The poem spoke of a vanquished evil rising from an ancient ruin and enslaving the world with a force greater than D'arya herself could muster. The four corners of Azuleah would fall in its wake, and blue fire would consume all life. He shuddered at the image of searing flames engulfing his body. Helmer continued reading the prophetic poem solemnly. A man will be chosen by the peoples of Azuleah to banish the evil once and for all, but he will not do so of his own accord. Yesu will accompany the man and all who stand with him. The enemies of the chosen man, known as the
Ellyllei
, will fall from the blade he carries. The blade will be forged by an elf's hands and possess great power over the dark forces of the world. The sword will not be forged from a common metal, and specific instructions for its creation will be revealed to a seer of D'arya.

"In light of all this evidence, Councilor," Quetulya uttered, "you still have not determined the reasons as to why Siegfried and young Lucius should be permitted to leave these sacred woods to Sylvania. There is no prophecy concerning that city. Why, then, does this quest to vanquish evil start there?"

Helmer smiled, undaunted by Quetulya's question. "Sylvania has long been a sanctuary for all peoples of Azuleah, most notably, elves and humans—"

"Vagabonds and criminals, Lord Helmer," Quetulya interrupted.

"Some, yes," Helmer retorted. "But there are many skilled blacksmiths within the city, many of which are elves. It would be the opportune place to forge the sword to slay the Black Dragon. More importantly though, Sylvania is home to a D'aryan seer by the name of Lumiath."

The Councilors seated in the rows ahead of Lucius began to whisper to each other and shake their heads in disapproval of the D'aryan seer.

"I know there is much controversy over Lumiath within the Cyngorell—"

"Councilor, Lumiath is an exile of Evingrad and has disassociated himself from D'arya," an elf with blonde, shoulder-length hair spoke from the second row.

"He cannot be trusted," another elf blurted out, and others began to join in.

Quetulya raised his hand to quiet them, "Peace, Councilors. Surely Councilor Silverhart has a good reason for suggesting a firebrand such as Lumiath."

"I believe in his ability as a seer and a loyal follower of D'arya, Quetulya," Helmer admitted proudly. "And if he is not the elven seer the prophecy speaks of, then he will undoubtedly lead us the right way."

Quetulya disagreed, and many of the Councilors were divided on Lumiath's reliability. The debate continued on for an hour. Siegfried slipped outside while Lucius continued to wait on the Cyngorell's decision. In the end, the Council sided with Quetulya. They did not believe Helmer's plan to send Lucius and Siegfried to Sylvania was the only option concerning the prophecy. Many suggested when the time was right, D'arya would reveal the identity of the seer to the High Elves of the Cyngorell, only then should Lucius be sent out.

Quetulya did not believe Lucius was the man prophesied to seal Kraegyn's fate. His resentment towards Helmer was evident, and Lucius disliked him all the more for it. Before the decision had been made, Lucius felt a slight reluctance to be sent to unknown parts of the world on some wild adventure, but when the opportunity had slipped away from him, he eagerly desired it.

When the final deliberations were made, Lord Helmer stepped down from his podium and dismissed himself from the audience in the Council House. He walked past Lucius, bearing a sullen look in his eyes completely uncharacteristic of the sage. Lucius followed him outside, after glancing back toward the amphitheater where his gaze met Quetulya's smug expression.

Siegfried met them outside on the steps of the marble building. His face did not display any hint of anticipation or curiosity about the outcome of the proceedings. Lucius was certain he knew the outcome before he had walked out, just as his father did. Their incredible foresight had always amazed him, but at the moment, both father and son probably wished their predeterminations had been wrong. The three walked down from the Council House and headed for their home in silence. Lucius felt a growing need to say something—anything—to lighten the depressing mood, but he failed to find any words.

"I suppose we should move forward with our next move, Father," Siegfried broke the silence.

Lucius raised his brow and eyed his brother quizzically, "Next move?"

Helmer chuckled. "I suppose it is time to employ more forceful measures upon the situation, Siegfried."

"What?" Lucius shot his head to the right, meeting Helmer's eyes.

"You didn't honestly think this was our only plan in sending you to Sylvania, did you?" Helmer asked.

"I thought it to be the most reasonable," Lucius answered.

"Indeed, it was," Helmer agreed. "But you are the
Ellyllei
, Lucius, the Elf Son prophesied about long ago, and we cannot sit idly waiting for any intervention from the Council."

"What are you suggesting we do, then?" he questioned anxiously.

"We must sneak outside of Verdania unnoticed and travel to Sylvania," Siegfried said confidently with his usual calmness.

Lucius’ eyes widened. "Sneak outside? We shall be arrested for treason and imprisoned. And if by some miracle we make it to the bottom of
Breninmaur's
trunk, the Protectors would capture or kill us before we could ever come within a mile of the Marble Gate."

"Do not trouble yourself over such matters, Lucius," Helmer placed a hand on his shoulder. "I have meticulously planned your escape from this enchanted city. You shall fulfill the quest that Yéwa, your God, has placed before you—unless, of course, you willfully choose to stay behind."

Lucius stopped on the road to ponder the choice before him. The idea of this adventure to rid Azuleah of a vile terror excited him, but frightened him to death as well. He envisioned facing an enemy as hellish as Kraegyn, and the fear swept over him again.

"The decision is still yours to make, brother," Siegfried said emphatically.

He took a deep breath, expelling fear and doubt from his mind, "My heart is willing. Tell me what must be done."

 FIVE

A Grand Escape

The stars above Evingrad shone brightly in the darkness of the city as a chill wind wisped through the narrow roads between all of the
egini
. Lucius walked outside from within the warm confines of the Silverhart estate carrying a full backpack with supplies for his long journey. Siegfried followed him, carrying their weapons and a bag with scrolls slung on his shoulder. Lucius frowned as the wind whipped his hair. He buttoned the collar of his coat and threw the hood of his cloak over his head. The chill weather surprised him since the cooler autumn season was still months away.

Siegfried handed him his yew bow and sword. He took them, placing the sword in its leather scabbard and attaching the bow to his backpack. Helmer suddenly appeared at the top of the steps of the atrium. He held a scroll Lucius immediately recognized. It had been the duplicated heirloom of the Nostra house since the time of Cervantes. Lucius had studied its opening passages, which chronicled the dawn of man at the hands of Yéwa. But time had grown short, and in his haste, Lucius had forgotten to pack it.

"Remember to take the eastern tunnel once you've reached the Great Tower." Helmer handed him the scroll.

Lucius tucked the scroll inside a sown pocket in his cloak. "How will we get past the sentries inside the Tower?"

"Leave that to me," Siegfried said as he wrapped himself in a dark green cloak.

Helmer looked at them solemnly, and Lucius saw a slight sadness in his eyes. "This quest will be perilous. Trust only those whose hearts seem worthy to you, and look to each other for help in desperate times. The light of D'arya and the grace of Yéwa be upon you both."

They both bowed in his presence and set off down the narrow lane leading toward the western road. Lucius recalled Helmer's instructions to veer off the road when they reached the intersection. He and Siegfried cut through the houses and stayed within the shadows lest they be seen by anyone. Siegfried jogged swiftly ahead of him in absolute silence, a difficult skill for Lucius to mimic as he avoided the crunch of leaves underfoot.

A few yards ahead of them the Tower of
Breninmaur
loomed in the moonlight. Sentries making their rounds stood inside the tower, watching the stillness of the city from diamond-shaped windows. Torches lit the inside of their posts and revealed their faces to Siegfried's far-reaching gaze.

"Six sentries are keeping watch from inside. Their sight will catch our movement in a yard or less," the elf whispered. He crouched behind a tall bush and signaled Lucius to stay behind him.

"How will we ever get past them?" Lucius asked, calculating the odds of successfully escaping the sight of six trained elf-warriors and not liking the result.

"Fear not, Lucius, the magic of D'arya will deliver us from their sight," Siegfried said.

"I do not know any of the magical elven songs, Sieg. And even if I did, men do not inherit the magical abilities of the elf clans," he said resentfully.

"No songs are needed." Siegfried pulled out two transparent spheres from a pouch on his belt and handed one to him. "Put this in your mouth, but do not swallow it."

Lucius raised his brow, but at Siegfried's insistence, he took the small sphere and placed it in his mouth. He immediately felt a slight prickling on his tongue, which surprised him. The feeling spread throughout his mouth and his insides. He began to panic, wanting to spit the sphere out of his mouth, but Siegfried assured him nothing was wrong. The prickling reached all of his insides and then his skin. His right arm itched from the prickling effect, and he reached with his left hand to scratch it. But as he looked down, he realized his hand was gone. They had disappeared from sight. The itching spread to his left arm, and he watched it vanish before his very eyes.