As the sun dropped down in the west, Bram Thorne sat fidgeting in the old emperors throne. Though the voices were giving him peace right now, he knew it wouldn't last for long. They would be back to torment him soon enough. The constant babel and nagging would one day drive him crazy, but that's one of the prices he would have to pay for being the most powerful warlock in Taggitia.
[What makes you think you are one of the most powerful warlocks here in Taggitia?] A voice said.
[Because I am.] Bram answered with pride. [If there was someone out there more powerful than me, they would come here to call me out.]
For a second there was total silence, Bram thought it was because they agreed with him, Then all the voices started laughing at him. They laughed so hard, Bram jumped up out the throne and fell on the floor. He lay there with his hands covering his ears, but he knew that wouldn't stop the laughing. Nothing could stop them, As long as he kept the rings, the voices would be there to torment him. Bram had fought and argued with the voices for years, but he still had no idea how to shut them out of his mind.
Once he thought, maybe if he couldn't hear the voice would fade away. Bram pulled a dagger out of his robe. That brought on another burst of laughter.
[You think we're in your ear?] A voice said. [Your not as powerful as you think. But go ahead, bust your ear drums and see what happens.]
He put the dagger back in his robe and went on with his day. The voices continued, and he hated it , but there was nothing he could do except destroy the rings and that would limit his powers. That is if the rings could be destroyed.
Bram had the rings for more than twenty years. He found the first one in a cave somewhere off the coast of Taggitia. He had been searching for a place to rest when he found the bones of what he thought was a noble. The rags it was wearing looked expensive. It had three other rings on the left hand and some kind of pendant around its neck. As Bram kicked it over he saw the jewelry. Two of the rings were gold with intricate shapes that went around the outside of the rings. The third ring had a purple stone set in the silver metal work. Bram picked up the arm of the skeleton and shook the dust and sand off it. He looked closer at the rings. The ring with the purple stone was glowing, Bram inhaled with surprise as he broke off the three ring fingers.
[What a find.] He thought as he took the rings off the finger bones and tossed the arm away. He looked around and found a boulder to sit on. As he sat down to rest, he gazed down at the three rings. The purple stoned ring gave off emanations of power. The other two were cold and lifeless. Bram tossed the gold rings away and slipped the ring om his finger. At first it was to big, then as he stared down at it on his finger, it resized to grip him tightly. Bram tugged and pulled at it trying to get it off. Then he heard laughter echoing through his head.
[Who are you to disturb my rest?]
Bram stood up and jumped back with his set for attack. He looked around and saw there was no one here except him in the cave. He shook his head thinking he was hearing things.
[You are hearing things.] A voice said. [Me.]
"Who's there?" Bram ducked and powered up a spell. There was someone here and he would find them if it took all night.
[No you won't.] The voice said. [You couldn't find me if I was standing on your toes.]
"Show yourself coward!"
[I'm right here!] The voice said sounding as if it was right over his shoulder. Bram spun around and let loose his spell. A power bolt shot out from him and hit the walk off to the right..
[Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!] The voice laughed. [And you call yourself a powerful Warlock!]
"I am a warlock!" Bram shouted. He balled his fist up. "Who are you? Come out and I'll prove it to you!"
[My name is Corlis Nicosent. You couldn't beat me if my hands were tied up behind me.]
"Come out and i'll prove it!" Bram screamed.
[Very well.] Corlis said. [I'll come out and fight you. But if I win, you will wear that ring for the rest of your life.]
"What If I win?" Bram asked him.
[Then I will be your slave forever.]
Bram thought about it for a minute. He knew somewhere this was a trap. But his ego had to prove he was the stronger of the two. So he had to accept. With a nod, Bram accept the propitiation. He took a step back and looked around for his opponent. The ring flashed purple and Bram covered his eyes.
When he looked up there man standing in front of his dressed in what looked like the rage the bones wore only they were new. The warlock had jet black hair and a thin mustache. His eyes blazed with a silver glow and there was a twitch in his right eye. He was a little taller then Bram and he had to have at least one hundred pounds on Bram. His tunic was grey with some kind of mystical symbols on it.
"Are you ready?" He smiled with a crooked look in his face. Bram nodded his head yes. "Then have at it!"
Bram reached out his hand and sent a pulse of power at the warlock. With one hand out stretched Corlis formed a shield to block the pulse,then with the other he sent a line of energy out like a whip to shrike at Bram. As he ducked the glowing whip, Bram jumped up and sent lightning bolts out at Corlis. The first one hit the ground right next to where Corlis was standing. the second one hit a foot to the left of Corlis position.The third one stuck him dead on in the chest. Before Corlis could pull himself together, Bram sent a series of small rocks at him. Like a meteor shower, the rocks rained down on Corlis. He took hits one after another crashing down on his shield. He fell down to one knee holding his shield out to keep the strikes from hitting him. With one hands holding his shield up, Corlis cast a spell that opened the ground beneath Bram. Bram smiled, the warlock just made his first big mistake. Bram was a master at using elementals. He called a boulder to rise up and catch him as he called a tidal wave of water in to drown Corlis. As Corlis swam trying to keep his head above water, Bram grabbed the warlock in a fist made of solid water. he smashed him again and again into the cave wall. Holding Corlis high above the water, Bram banished the water back to the nearest lake. Corlis choked and spit out water as he hacked for air.
"Have you had enough?"
"Yes." Corlis said. "You win. Now you will never get the ring off your finger."
In a flash Corlis disappeared. Bram looked for him as he tried again and again to get the ring off.
[The power of the ring is yours to command.] Corlis laughed at him. [But your trapped with me for the rest of your life.]
"As my slave." Bram said with a grin. He was proud of this win. "You have to do what I want."
"No." Corlis said. "I don't have to do anything you say. But I will torment you forever. You will never get me to shut up."
Bram damned him again and again, but it didn't help. He's been babbling since the day he found the ring. Bram didn't care, but he did want some privacy in his head, and one day he will quiet the voices
[Want to make a bet on that?] Corlis said sounding mischievous. [I'll give you good oods.]
[Go away.] Bram moaned.
[Poor baby wants to be alone.] Corlis mucked him in a baby voice. As Bram stepped away from his throne, a baby bottle appeared in his hand. [Want me to change your diappy?]
"I said SHUT UP!!!"
Corlis and a few others burst out in laughter. Bram stormed out of the throne room and headed down through the palace. He had four of his rings, but that left six rings out there somewhere and he meant to find them. He took the staircase down heading to the door in the side of the stair case. he reached for the handle and gave it a tug. Locked. That was not a problem. He reached for the door handle, this time he mumbled.
"Acesseo." The door lock popped open and Bram went in and started on his way down into the lower levels of the castle. As Bram walked down the staircase he heard something. A roar. The roar was deep like a Lion or some kind of big cat. Just to be careful, Bram sent out a probe for anything he could run into down there. The smell down there was pretty bad. All the urine and feces that had built up over the years, the body odors and those that died here.
As Bram moved down taking slow steps, he thought about the last time he had been down here. It was three years before he found the eighth ring. The Emperor had sent a league of his guards out into the city to find him. Bram had just returned from out west. He was looking for one of the last two rings, either the ring of life or death. These were two of the most powerful rings. The rings of life and death was forged by his brother Tenol the god of war and presented to Aramis some time before Muerte was exiled to the underworld. By then her hate had driven her crazy. All she wanted was to give the world her gift of death. Once the world was dead, she would take the Underworld from Lord Nestor and rule over the dead forever. The ring was meant to counter her madness. But Aramis found a way to defeat her with the help of Angela and the ring was never used. Instead. Aramis hid them somewhere he thought no one would ever find them. But he was wrong, there would come a day when the rings would be needed.
The day was warm and it felt cool as Quyyn with Ranjer on his back rode the currents north to begin their search. In Quyyn's head there was a map that world lead them to a high peak north of Torcin. His uncle Aramis came to him and offered his help. He promised to lead Quyyn and Ranjer to the place where they would find the lost rings. They had no idea where they would be going, but they had absolute thrust in Uncle. He would never lead them to a place of danger. That is if he could help it.
They flew a straight course north pass Torcin then they turned west towards the home of the Myor the Phoenix and the Yetisans..Ranjer held onto Quyyn tightly, It seems he was afraid of heights. Quyyn couldn't believe that. He had seen Ranjer flying was with Jandar, Rage and a few others. So why is he so afraid now?
[Cousin, what's wrong?] He asked. [This is not the first time your flying. I know that.]
[I don't know how.] Ranjer said. [but there is something out there watching us.]
[Where?] Quyyn said as he gazed all around them.
[What or whoever it isn't here physically.] Ranjer looked out at the clouds with glowing eyes. [It's one of my talents. I can always feel it when I'm being probed. I can block it if you want.]
[Can you tell who it is?]
Ranjer closed his eyes a let his mind feel the probe.
[It's not a friend.] Ranjer said. [The mind is to cluttered. It's like a hundred people screaming at once.]
[Its Bram Thorne,] Quyyn said. [Can you tell where he is? Does he know where we are going?]
[I don't think so, but he might figure it out. He's close. I can almost feel his breath on my neck. What do we do?]
[We go on.] Quyyn said. [We have to beat Bram there, then if he wants the rings, he'll have to take it from us.]
Up ahead, Ranjer saw a mountain. It was really tall making others around look like bumps on the horizon. Quyyn hadn't told Ranjer where they were going. He just asked Ranjer saying they were going north. Yarden asked if he could join them saying he wanted to check and see if any of his family survived Bram's attack. Watching from the side, Ranjer shook his head then sent a message out to Quyyn.
[Tell him we're not going anywhere close to Mada.] Ranjer sent. [Time is important, We have to get back before Bram's attacks.]
Quyyn explained that they will have to keep a close look out for Bram or anyone that might be out here under his orders. Between his crew and Bram the rings are all counted. With only the rings of life and death still missing. Yarden, understood why he couldn't go, but that didn't mean he liked it. Ranjer packed a tent, some rations and his sword. Now he was ready to go.
"Where should we meet you?" Bly asked.
"We still don't know what happened to Jemeld." Ranjer said.
"You may not know," Bly said. "But I know. that bastard killed her and I will prove it."
"That's right Bly, we don't have enough to prove he did it." Quyyn said directing his comment to Bly. "We have to prove she died by his hand, or this could turn into a war. We can't let that happen."
"Then what do we do?" Rowyn asked.
"We find someone that can prove she's dead" Hoodie said. "We need Elves. Royal elves."
"The closest is royal elves are in Eventide." Niro said. "We my find someone up there that can help us."
"Be careful." Ranjer said. "Elves don't like people who trespass on their land. We'll meet you in Eventide."
As Aron stepped out of his suite, alarms were ringing out all through the Eventine tree palace. Guards were running all through the tree making their way to their battle station. Aron stopped a guard and asked him what the problem was.
"Someone broke out of the dungeon." He said and ran off. Someone broke out? That has to be Caius. Aron ran on down the hall to closest shift that went down to the dungeons. He stepped in and told it where he wanted to go. The door mechanism flashed and Aron was off. The Tree shifts in Eventide were unique. Magical they went to all the different shafts of each of the cities trees. Not only did they move up and down, it moved side to side taking you wherever you want in the tree.
Aron told the tree he needed to be in the dungeon. The tree flash as it moved by connection point in the tree. As the dungeon was a last stop. when it got there it flashed two times then stopped. Aron stepped out of the treevator and found he was standing at the main entrance station to Eventide's dungeon . As he stepped in, lights flashed and the siren blared out loudly. In front of him was the guard station where seven dead guards and two wounded elfs with stun staff pointed at him called for him to stop and be recognized. With his hands up he looked at the seven dead bodies. As a prince of the house he has to find a way to stop this before he killed anyone else. As he was scanned by one guard he was recognized as a son of Eventide. The guards stepped back but they kept their weapons held ready to be fired.
"Who's in charge down here?"
"I am." A guard with a star on each shoulder. "I'm Capt Ajjar. what can I do for you?"
"Nothing Captain. It's what I can do for you."
Captain Ajjar tilted his head not really understanding what he was talking about. Then just as he was about to speak, Caius stepped out holding a knife to Ajjars neck. "
"Nobody move." Caius tightened his grip on the knife. "You are a prince of these land's am I right?"
"Yes." Aron said. "Let him go and I will take you anywhere you want."
"You mean that?" Caius gave him a devious smile. "On your honor?"
"Yes. " Aron said through gritted teeth. This was the only thing he could do to stop Caius from killing anyone else. Caius pushed the captain away from and ordered Aron to move over to him.
"What are you going to do now?" Aron asked. "There are hundreds of warriors to pass before we're out of Eventide, and don't forget Evindal. He will do what he needs to, to get me back."
"Then all you have to do to get your freedom is simple. Find Jemeld."
“And if I find her?” Aron asked. “Than what? You will never bother Eventide and its allies again? Do you swear at you word?”
Caius thought about that for a minute. It really didn’t matter. These Elves could never be much of a threat to him. What does a few Elf colonies matter to him. He would have all of Keanna to rule. “
Caius reached over and placed a hand on Aron’s shoulder. In a flash his twinkle went from sparks to a blazing shower of light particles. Like a dazzling torch they shot up into the sky.heading north following Aron’s lead. Aron was amazed at the power Caius was showing. He doubted there were many on Keanna with the power to rival his.
From high over Eventide they shot north, Aron watched as the mighty forest of Eventide flashed beneath them. In minutes they were over the border and into Aesar. Aron wondered what the light elves if Aesar thought from their hazy clouds. They probably thought it was the work of the Gods. Like a shooting star they flew over Aesar and into Droth, the land of the dark elves. Aron hoped their blazing trail would scare the dark ones into their caves to hide for the next twenty years. After the last years with the Darkshade, Aron hoped they would suffer forever. From Droth, Aron told Caius to turn east. With a slight twist of his body, Caius turned east and dropped down out of the clouds. Beneath them was Lake Charlipyn. This they both knew was a land of the Mer. Though the lake was bigger than Eventide and Droth put together, there were three different Mer tribes. Living here in peace. The main and largest city was Silvryn. Silvryn was known for the pearls they harvest three times a year. The city was the home of a large tribe of Corral Elves. Brothers to the Corral Elves of Dree. The pearls of Silvryn were famous all over Keanna and known to bring luck to anyone that owned them legitimately. In other words, if you bought or was presented with a string of pearls, they would bring luck. But if you stole them, your luck would be disastrous, and the only way to break the curse is to be forgiven by a royal from the house of Silvryn.
High over Silvryn, Aron pointed down to a small island in the middle of the lake, Caius looked down wondering what Aron was pointing at.
“There.” Aron said. “Do you see the island below us? That’s where we are going.”
The island was serine with willows and palm trees. There were sunflowers and lilies and blue white and yellow roses growing all through the island. It was beautiful Aron thought. The perfect to rest. Caius circled his way down to land somewhere he saw there was a clearing. As they came down to land, Aron watched Caius. He had no idea how he would react to a place like this.
Caius looked all around him. What was this place? He had never seen anything like this before. There were flowers of all colors. This place was almost unbelievable. The greenery, the brook, and the animals made it look like a home for the Gods.He knew he couldn’t do anything to corrupt this place. For a minute, Caius stayed quiet. He felt that the sound of his voice could somehow make this place dirty.
“Why are we here?” Caius asked in a low voiced..
“You wanted to find Jemeld Thorne.” Aron said boldly. “She is here.”
“Where?” Caius side. “I see nothing.
“She is here.” Aron smiled. ‘Open your heart. Can’t you feel her?”
Caius walked around the meadow walking carefully to make sure he didn't disturb a single blade of grass. Yes, he did believe him. She was here.He could feel her presence all around him in the air and the field.
“She’s dead.” Caius said sadly.
“Yes.” Aron said. “He killed her thinking she was just another voice.”
“But I am here to find her and bring he back.” Caius looked up at Aron. “How am I to do that?”
‘Aron looked around, than he bent over and picked up a small stone.
“Bring this to him.” Aron reached out to hand him the stone. “Give it to him, he will understand.”
“But will that please him, or drive him further down into his delusions?” Caius took the stone. He knew he couldn’t give it to Bram. It would destroy his fragile sense of reality. He would have to find another way.
“Yes.” Aron said nodding. “”You have the answer. Will you keep your word?”
“Your free and I won’t bother anyone in your Elven lands.”
“That’s a wise choice.” Aron said as he stepped away from Caius. “I would rather you go to war with you.”
“But what if you did?” Caius said smiling deviously. “I know you are a Warlock Do you think you can beat me?”
“I’m sure of it.” Aron spun around and vanished in a flash of light.
“We shall see.” Snapped his fingers and shot into the air leaving nothing but a sparkling
trail.
[What makes you think you are one of the most powerful warlocks here in Taggitia?] A voice said.
[Because I am.] Bram answered with pride. [If there was someone out there more powerful than me, they would come here to call me out.]
For a second there was total silence, Bram thought it was because they agreed with him, Then all the voices started laughing at him. They laughed so hard, Bram jumped up out the throne and fell on the floor. He lay there with his hands covering his ears, but he knew that wouldn't stop the laughing. Nothing could stop them, As long as he kept the rings, the voices would be there to torment him. Bram had fought and argued with the voices for years, but he still had no idea how to shut them out of his mind.
Once he thought, maybe if he couldn't hear the voice would fade away. Bram pulled a dagger out of his robe. That brought on another burst of laughter.
[You think we're in your ear?] A voice said. [Your not as powerful as you think. But go ahead, bust your ear drums and see what happens.]
He put the dagger back in his robe and went on with his day. The voices continued, and he hated it , but there was nothing he could do except destroy the rings and that would limit his powers. That is if the rings could be destroyed.
Bram had the rings for more than twenty years. He found the first one in a cave somewhere off the coast of Taggitia. He had been searching for a place to rest when he found the bones of what he thought was a noble. The rags it was wearing looked expensive. It had three other rings on the left hand and some kind of pendant around its neck. As Bram kicked it over he saw the jewelry. Two of the rings were gold with intricate shapes that went around the outside of the rings. The third ring had a purple stone set in the silver metal work. Bram picked up the arm of the skeleton and shook the dust and sand off it. He looked closer at the rings. The ring with the purple stone was glowing, Bram inhaled with surprise as he broke off the three ring fingers.
[What a find.] He thought as he took the rings off the finger bones and tossed the arm away. He looked around and found a boulder to sit on. As he sat down to rest, he gazed down at the three rings. The purple stoned ring gave off emanations of power. The other two were cold and lifeless. Bram tossed the gold rings away and slipped the ring om his finger. At first it was to big, then as he stared down at it on his finger, it resized to grip him tightly. Bram tugged and pulled at it trying to get it off. Then he heard laughter echoing through his head.
[Who are you to disturb my rest?]
Bram stood up and jumped back with his set for attack. He looked around and saw there was no one here except him in the cave. He shook his head thinking he was hearing things.
[You are hearing things.] A voice said. [Me.]
"Who's there?" Bram ducked and powered up a spell. There was someone here and he would find them if it took all night.
[No you won't.] The voice said. [You couldn't find me if I was standing on your toes.]
"Show yourself coward!"
[I'm right here!] The voice said sounding as if it was right over his shoulder. Bram spun around and let loose his spell. A power bolt shot out from him and hit the walk off to the right..
[Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!] The voice laughed. [And you call yourself a powerful Warlock!]
"I am a warlock!" Bram shouted. He balled his fist up. "Who are you? Come out and I'll prove it to you!"
[My name is Corlis Nicosent. You couldn't beat me if my hands were tied up behind me.]
"Come out and i'll prove it!" Bram screamed.
[Very well.] Corlis said. [I'll come out and fight you. But if I win, you will wear that ring for the rest of your life.]
"What If I win?" Bram asked him.
[Then I will be your slave forever.]
Bram thought about it for a minute. He knew somewhere this was a trap. But his ego had to prove he was the stronger of the two. So he had to accept. With a nod, Bram accept the propitiation. He took a step back and looked around for his opponent. The ring flashed purple and Bram covered his eyes.
When he looked up there man standing in front of his dressed in what looked like the rage the bones wore only they were new. The warlock had jet black hair and a thin mustache. His eyes blazed with a silver glow and there was a twitch in his right eye. He was a little taller then Bram and he had to have at least one hundred pounds on Bram. His tunic was grey with some kind of mystical symbols on it.
"Are you ready?" He smiled with a crooked look in his face. Bram nodded his head yes. "Then have at it!"
Bram reached out his hand and sent a pulse of power at the warlock. With one hand out stretched Corlis formed a shield to block the pulse,then with the other he sent a line of energy out like a whip to shrike at Bram. As he ducked the glowing whip, Bram jumped up and sent lightning bolts out at Corlis. The first one hit the ground right next to where Corlis was standing. the second one hit a foot to the left of Corlis position.The third one stuck him dead on in the chest. Before Corlis could pull himself together, Bram sent a series of small rocks at him. Like a meteor shower, the rocks rained down on Corlis. He took hits one after another crashing down on his shield. He fell down to one knee holding his shield out to keep the strikes from hitting him. With one hands holding his shield up, Corlis cast a spell that opened the ground beneath Bram. Bram smiled, the warlock just made his first big mistake. Bram was a master at using elementals. He called a boulder to rise up and catch him as he called a tidal wave of water in to drown Corlis. As Corlis swam trying to keep his head above water, Bram grabbed the warlock in a fist made of solid water. he smashed him again and again into the cave wall. Holding Corlis high above the water, Bram banished the water back to the nearest lake. Corlis choked and spit out water as he hacked for air.
"Have you had enough?"
"Yes." Corlis said. "You win. Now you will never get the ring off your finger."
In a flash Corlis disappeared. Bram looked for him as he tried again and again to get the ring off.
[The power of the ring is yours to command.] Corlis laughed at him. [But your trapped with me for the rest of your life.]
"As my slave." Bram said with a grin. He was proud of this win. "You have to do what I want."
"No." Corlis said. "I don't have to do anything you say. But I will torment you forever. You will never get me to shut up."
Bram damned him again and again, but it didn't help. He's been babbling since the day he found the ring. Bram didn't care, but he did want some privacy in his head, and one day he will quiet the voices
[Want to make a bet on that?] Corlis said sounding mischievous. [I'll give you good oods.]
[Go away.] Bram moaned.
[Poor baby wants to be alone.] Corlis mucked him in a baby voice. As Bram stepped away from his throne, a baby bottle appeared in his hand. [Want me to change your diappy?]
"I said SHUT UP!!!"
Corlis and a few others burst out in laughter. Bram stormed out of the throne room and headed down through the palace. He had four of his rings, but that left six rings out there somewhere and he meant to find them. He took the staircase down heading to the door in the side of the stair case. he reached for the handle and gave it a tug. Locked. That was not a problem. He reached for the door handle, this time he mumbled.
"Acesseo." The door lock popped open and Bram went in and started on his way down into the lower levels of the castle. As Bram walked down the staircase he heard something. A roar. The roar was deep like a Lion or some kind of big cat. Just to be careful, Bram sent out a probe for anything he could run into down there. The smell down there was pretty bad. All the urine and feces that had built up over the years, the body odors and those that died here.
As Bram moved down taking slow steps, he thought about the last time he had been down here. It was three years before he found the eighth ring. The Emperor had sent a league of his guards out into the city to find him. Bram had just returned from out west. He was looking for one of the last two rings, either the ring of life or death. These were two of the most powerful rings. The rings of life and death was forged by his brother Tenol the god of war and presented to Aramis some time before Muerte was exiled to the underworld. By then her hate had driven her crazy. All she wanted was to give the world her gift of death. Once the world was dead, she would take the Underworld from Lord Nestor and rule over the dead forever. The ring was meant to counter her madness. But Aramis found a way to defeat her with the help of Angela and the ring was never used. Instead. Aramis hid them somewhere he thought no one would ever find them. But he was wrong, there would come a day when the rings would be needed.
The day was warm and it felt cool as Quyyn with Ranjer on his back rode the currents north to begin their search. In Quyyn's head there was a map that world lead them to a high peak north of Torcin. His uncle Aramis came to him and offered his help. He promised to lead Quyyn and Ranjer to the place where they would find the lost rings. They had no idea where they would be going, but they had absolute thrust in Uncle. He would never lead them to a place of danger. That is if he could help it.
They flew a straight course north pass Torcin then they turned west towards the home of the Myor the Phoenix and the Yetisans..Ranjer held onto Quyyn tightly, It seems he was afraid of heights. Quyyn couldn't believe that. He had seen Ranjer flying was with Jandar, Rage and a few others. So why is he so afraid now?
[Cousin, what's wrong?] He asked. [This is not the first time your flying. I know that.]
[I don't know how.] Ranjer said. [but there is something out there watching us.]
[Where?] Quyyn said as he gazed all around them.
[What or whoever it isn't here physically.] Ranjer looked out at the clouds with glowing eyes. [It's one of my talents. I can always feel it when I'm being probed. I can block it if you want.]
[Can you tell who it is?]
Ranjer closed his eyes a let his mind feel the probe.
[It's not a friend.] Ranjer said. [The mind is to cluttered. It's like a hundred people screaming at once.]
[Its Bram Thorne,] Quyyn said. [Can you tell where he is? Does he know where we are going?]
[I don't think so, but he might figure it out. He's close. I can almost feel his breath on my neck. What do we do?]
[We go on.] Quyyn said. [We have to beat Bram there, then if he wants the rings, he'll have to take it from us.]
Up ahead, Ranjer saw a mountain. It was really tall making others around look like bumps on the horizon. Quyyn hadn't told Ranjer where they were going. He just asked Ranjer saying they were going north. Yarden asked if he could join them saying he wanted to check and see if any of his family survived Bram's attack. Watching from the side, Ranjer shook his head then sent a message out to Quyyn.
[Tell him we're not going anywhere close to Mada.] Ranjer sent. [Time is important, We have to get back before Bram's attacks.]
Quyyn explained that they will have to keep a close look out for Bram or anyone that might be out here under his orders. Between his crew and Bram the rings are all counted. With only the rings of life and death still missing. Yarden, understood why he couldn't go, but that didn't mean he liked it. Ranjer packed a tent, some rations and his sword. Now he was ready to go.
"Where should we meet you?" Bly asked.
"We still don't know what happened to Jemeld." Ranjer said.
"You may not know," Bly said. "But I know. that bastard killed her and I will prove it."
"That's right Bly, we don't have enough to prove he did it." Quyyn said directing his comment to Bly. "We have to prove she died by his hand, or this could turn into a war. We can't let that happen."
"Then what do we do?" Rowyn asked.
"We find someone that can prove she's dead" Hoodie said. "We need Elves. Royal elves."
"The closest is royal elves are in Eventide." Niro said. "We my find someone up there that can help us."
"Be careful." Ranjer said. "Elves don't like people who trespass on their land. We'll meet you in Eventide."
As Aron stepped out of his suite, alarms were ringing out all through the Eventine tree palace. Guards were running all through the tree making their way to their battle station. Aron stopped a guard and asked him what the problem was.
"Someone broke out of the dungeon." He said and ran off. Someone broke out? That has to be Caius. Aron ran on down the hall to closest shift that went down to the dungeons. He stepped in and told it where he wanted to go. The door mechanism flashed and Aron was off. The Tree shifts in Eventide were unique. Magical they went to all the different shafts of each of the cities trees. Not only did they move up and down, it moved side to side taking you wherever you want in the tree.
Aron told the tree he needed to be in the dungeon. The tree flash as it moved by connection point in the tree. As the dungeon was a last stop. when it got there it flashed two times then stopped. Aron stepped out of the treevator and found he was standing at the main entrance station to Eventide's dungeon . As he stepped in, lights flashed and the siren blared out loudly. In front of him was the guard station where seven dead guards and two wounded elfs with stun staff pointed at him called for him to stop and be recognized. With his hands up he looked at the seven dead bodies. As a prince of the house he has to find a way to stop this before he killed anyone else. As he was scanned by one guard he was recognized as a son of Eventide. The guards stepped back but they kept their weapons held ready to be fired.
"Who's in charge down here?"
"I am." A guard with a star on each shoulder. "I'm Capt Ajjar. what can I do for you?"
"Nothing Captain. It's what I can do for you."
Captain Ajjar tilted his head not really understanding what he was talking about. Then just as he was about to speak, Caius stepped out holding a knife to Ajjars neck. "
"Nobody move." Caius tightened his grip on the knife. "You are a prince of these land's am I right?"
"Yes." Aron said. "Let him go and I will take you anywhere you want."
"You mean that?" Caius gave him a devious smile. "On your honor?"
"Yes. " Aron said through gritted teeth. This was the only thing he could do to stop Caius from killing anyone else. Caius pushed the captain away from and ordered Aron to move over to him.
"What are you going to do now?" Aron asked. "There are hundreds of warriors to pass before we're out of Eventide, and don't forget Evindal. He will do what he needs to, to get me back."
"Then all you have to do to get your freedom is simple. Find Jemeld."
“And if I find her?” Aron asked. “Than what? You will never bother Eventide and its allies again? Do you swear at you word?”
Caius thought about that for a minute. It really didn’t matter. These Elves could never be much of a threat to him. What does a few Elf colonies matter to him. He would have all of Keanna to rule. “
Caius reached over and placed a hand on Aron’s shoulder. In a flash his twinkle went from sparks to a blazing shower of light particles. Like a dazzling torch they shot up into the sky.heading north following Aron’s lead. Aron was amazed at the power Caius was showing. He doubted there were many on Keanna with the power to rival his.
From high over Eventide they shot north, Aron watched as the mighty forest of Eventide flashed beneath them. In minutes they were over the border and into Aesar. Aron wondered what the light elves if Aesar thought from their hazy clouds. They probably thought it was the work of the Gods. Like a shooting star they flew over Aesar and into Droth, the land of the dark elves. Aron hoped their blazing trail would scare the dark ones into their caves to hide for the next twenty years. After the last years with the Darkshade, Aron hoped they would suffer forever. From Droth, Aron told Caius to turn east. With a slight twist of his body, Caius turned east and dropped down out of the clouds. Beneath them was Lake Charlipyn. This they both knew was a land of the Mer. Though the lake was bigger than Eventide and Droth put together, there were three different Mer tribes. Living here in peace. The main and largest city was Silvryn. Silvryn was known for the pearls they harvest three times a year. The city was the home of a large tribe of Corral Elves. Brothers to the Corral Elves of Dree. The pearls of Silvryn were famous all over Keanna and known to bring luck to anyone that owned them legitimately. In other words, if you bought or was presented with a string of pearls, they would bring luck. But if you stole them, your luck would be disastrous, and the only way to break the curse is to be forgiven by a royal from the house of Silvryn.
High over Silvryn, Aron pointed down to a small island in the middle of the lake, Caius looked down wondering what Aron was pointing at.
“There.” Aron said. “Do you see the island below us? That’s where we are going.”
The island was serine with willows and palm trees. There were sunflowers and lilies and blue white and yellow roses growing all through the island. It was beautiful Aron thought. The perfect to rest. Caius circled his way down to land somewhere he saw there was a clearing. As they came down to land, Aron watched Caius. He had no idea how he would react to a place like this.
Caius looked all around him. What was this place? He had never seen anything like this before. There were flowers of all colors. This place was almost unbelievable. The greenery, the brook, and the animals made it look like a home for the Gods.He knew he couldn’t do anything to corrupt this place. For a minute, Caius stayed quiet. He felt that the sound of his voice could somehow make this place dirty.
“Why are we here?” Caius asked in a low voiced..
“You wanted to find Jemeld Thorne.” Aron said boldly. “She is here.”
“Where?” Caius side. “I see nothing.
“She is here.” Aron smiled. ‘Open your heart. Can’t you feel her?”
Caius walked around the meadow walking carefully to make sure he didn't disturb a single blade of grass. Yes, he did believe him. She was here.He could feel her presence all around him in the air and the field.
“She’s dead.” Caius said sadly.
“Yes.” Aron said. “He killed her thinking she was just another voice.”
“But I am here to find her and bring he back.” Caius looked up at Aron. “How am I to do that?”
‘Aron looked around, than he bent over and picked up a small stone.
“Bring this to him.” Aron reached out to hand him the stone. “Give it to him, he will understand.”
“But will that please him, or drive him further down into his delusions?” Caius took the stone. He knew he couldn’t give it to Bram. It would destroy his fragile sense of reality. He would have to find another way.
“Yes.” Aron said nodding. “”You have the answer. Will you keep your word?”
“Your free and I won’t bother anyone in your Elven lands.”
“That’s a wise choice.” Aron said as he stepped away from Caius. “I would rather you go to war with you.”
“But what if you did?” Caius said smiling deviously. “I know you are a Warlock Do you think you can beat me?”
“I’m sure of it.” Aron spun around and vanished in a flash of light.
“We shall see.” Snapped his fingers and shot into the air leaving nothing but a sparkling
trail.
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