Eauthrin @ MindSay

§ Chapter 11 §

Tarin slammed the Tome of the Prophets abruptly on the floor in front of her. After her discussion with Taurnil earlier that day, Tarin had engulfed herself in the large book trying to find a fault in what the Elf had told her. It appeared as though what Taurnil had said was the truth. One of the prophets had even gone so far as to draw a sketch of the woman he saw in his vision. There was no doubt about it, Tarin was the person they prophesied about.

She sat on the pile of pillows staring blankly at the heavy leather bound book that lay in front of her. A tear welled up in her eye, and she brushed it away as it fell down her cheek. It’s not fair she thought. They should not expect so much out of me; I cannot do the things they imagine I can. Tarin felt as though the weight of the world was crushing her, and she lay back on the pillows.

“Perhaps next time you will do the homework assigned to you before walking into a trial,” she looked up to find Galdor standing on the edge of the platform. The Elves were always poking fun at the organized schoolhouses humans insisted on building. The only things not taught to the young Elf-lings by their families were the ability to wield a weapon and how to control their magical powers. These were taught by the masters, those who had been practicing and fighting for countless centuries.

“I did not ask for this,” Tarin moped.

“Anyone faced with such a responsibility would feel the same way,” Galdor comforted, taking a seat beside her on the cushions. “However, many of us are faced with obligations we are not prepared to accept. But if you do not accept your destiny, and take accountability for it, you will leave the world to fend themselves against an evil that only you can defeat. If you ignore this fact, you leave the world to certain devastation.”

“I know,” Tarin said, as another tear slowly rolled down her cheek.

Galdor reached for her face, and brushed away the tear. Tarin gazed at the Elf as he did so, catching a glimpse of his dark, glittering eyes for a brief moment, as his weather beaten hand graced her face. Tarin stiffened as he reached to sweep away a strand of hair that had come loose and fallen into her eyes.

“You do not need to be afraid,” Galdor whispered. “That is one thing I can assure you of. No matter what happens in this world, you do not need to fear me, for I will never harm you.”

Galdor stood and walked across the platform, turning to her before he stepped onto the adjacent dais.

“Have faith in yourself young Tarin, you are strong enough to accomplish whatever you put your mind to.”

Galdor stepped off of the dais, and disappeared behind the palm-sized leaves. Tarin watched as he left, then once again drew her gaze to the large tome located on the floor. She breathed in deeply as she forced herself to stand.

She wandered across the platforms until she located the dining tables. Final preparations were being made for the nights’ meal. Tarin did not realize that she was starving, and he stomach growled as she watched plates of fruits being placed on tables.

A crow-like call sounded from behind her, and Tarin turned to see an Elf holding a large black bird in his hands. The bird let out another caw, before the Elf released it once again. The blonde haired Elf smiled as he saw her watching him, and signalled for her to have a seat.

“Dinner will be served momentarily my lady,” the Elf said. “Please, make yourself comfortable until the rest of the guests arrive.”

Tarin sat at the table nearest to her, and waited patiently for others to join her. Moments later, Elves began to filter in from all directions and sat on the benches and chairs under the tables. The air was suddenly filled with Elvish laughter, and a minstrel took up song as more guests arrived. Eauthrin and Geheed joined Tarin, and told her many stories of the lands they explored that day. Moments later, Pansoic, Filmarc, and Manil joined the group and more stories were shared about the mysterious Elven city and the places they discovered.

Tarin sat quietly and listened to the stories, until Eauthrin asked of her day’s events. She shyly told the party about the mystical battle she had fought that morning, which was followed by a roar of laughter. Tarin’s face reddened as her colleagues continued laughing.

“Next time, you should join her,” Galdor said, taking a seat beside the blushing Tarin. “The training will do you well. And the encouragement would be greatly appreciated I’m sure.”

Tarin nodded, and the five Men quickly agreed to their new duties.

“Then it’s settled,” Galdor smiled, his dark eyes sparkling. “Tomorrow we will all go to the other realm and practice our skills.”

§

Tarin awoke early the next morning to the sound of heavy rainfall. She remembered instantly that she was sleeping outside and stood quickly to avoid getting wet. As she stood, Tarin realized that the leaves of the trees had merged together, creating a waterproof roof above her. Tarin stared at the magical leaves, astounded by the magic of the forest. She knew it would be many months until she fully understood the mystical forest, and smiled as she began preparing for the day’s training.

Galdor stepped quietly onto the platform, carrying a small tray covered with fresh bread and fruit. Tarin accepted the breakfast, and sat on the floor with him as they ate the meal together. He had also brought his long bow with him, and a few scrolls that he stored in a satchel.

As they finished their breakfast, Enelya led the group of Men to the dais, explaining the process to which they would enter the other realm, and encouraged them that the trip was safe and that they would not be hurt during the battle. Once the group was assembled, Enelya wished them good luck, and clapped her hands together while whispering an enchantment. Tarin closed her eyes, and seconds later felt the warmth of the morning sun beating down on her pale face.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself standing on a large ridge located on a cliff face. They were quite far off the ground, and Tarin stared at the horizon. She looked upwards, and found that they were on a cliff, but could also see more rock beyond the top of the cliff face. She looked behind her to find Galdor and the rest of the company inspecting the ridge, trying to find a trail.

After much searching, Eauthrin found a trail wide enough for them to walk across leading to the edge of the cliff face, where they would be able to reach the top of the cliff. The party followed him and made their way to the top of the cliff. As Geheed pulled Tarin up from the trail, she gazed upon a large metal door leading further into the mountain.

“What now?” Manil asked, tapping the hilt of his sword against the ten-foot high door.

Tarin could see that there was no door handle or hinges anywhere on the entrance, and breathed heavily as she approached the metal door. A fine writing could be seen halfway up the door, and she squinted at the script.

????????????? 

?!?!?!see below?!?!?!?!

“What does it say?” Tarin said as Galdor came and stood beside her.

“I am not sure yet,” he said, his dark eyes scanning over the runes. “I have seen this script before. Give me a few moments and I will try to decipher the code.”

The group stood around patiently as Galdor examined the runes. Tarin watched respectfully as he tried to determine what was written there. After pondering the runes for several minutes, Galdor let out a call.

“I’ve got it!”

The group gathered around to listen to the Elf’s dictation of the lettering.

“It says: ‘Pull with all your might, only a whistle you'll gain but almost out of sight, someone may shrink in pain.’”

“And what exactly is that suppose to mean?” Filmarc said as he stared at the strange lettering.

“It’s a riddle,” Manil said, teasing his older brother. After considering the answer for a few moments, he smiled and quickly shared his response. “I believe the answer is ‘a bow and arrow.’ But I have no idea how that is going to help us open this door.”

“Well, young Manil,” Galdor started. “You never quite know what will open these doors. Everyone look around for a hole large enough for an arrow to go through.”

The party began scouring the area, trying to find the answer to the riddle. Tarin looked behind a few large boulders to the left of the doorway, and called out to the party as she realized what she had found. Seconds later, the company had gathered behind the large boulders, and gazed upon the answer to their riddle.

It was not somewhere an arrow could be shot, but an engraving of a standard long bow and an arrow carved into the back of one of the boulders. Galdor removed his bow and an arrow from his quiver, and gently placed his weapon into the carving. The arrow fit perfectly, but the bow was too small for the impression. He was about to remove the bow, when a piece of the boulder moved. The etching had magically changed size to fit the bow, and gripped onto the weapon tightly.

The company ran out from behind the boulders to see the large metal door moving slowly upwards. When the door had reached the top of the doorway, a loud clank was heard, and the door clicked into place. From behind the boulder, they heard the rattle of the bow, as it was released from the impression and landed on the hard stone ground. Galdor returned carrying his bow and urged the group onwards.

“Shall we?”

!?!?!?!?!?This part is suppose to be written in Runes, however, I am not able to upload them here. So imagine you are reading beautiful Runes instead!?!?!?!?!

Tarin sat quietly at the busy table as she watched Elves carry out large trays covered with fresh fruit and fish. Dinner was quiet, and the weary travellers relaxed as they were served and comforted by the Elves. Tarin noticed that Galdor was no where to be seen, but the thought quickly left her mind as Taurnil encouraged her to eat some of the ripe fruit placed before her.

After the tables had been cleared, Tarin was led to a nearby dais where a mound of blankets and pillows sat on the floor waiting for her.

Tarin arranged the blankets and pillows to form a comfortable enough sleeping area, and calmly enveloped herself in the warm fur blankets. Before her blue eyes closed for the night, Tarin heard someone step quietly onto the platform. She jolted awake and found herself being watched by Galdor.

“What are you doing here?” Tarin asked coolly.

“I wanted to be sure that you were comfortable,” Galdor responded, stepping into the small patch of moonlight that filtered in through the leaves. “I am sorry I was not at dinner, but I needed to talk to the elders. I needed to warn them of the dangers that we may face in the upcoming months. Those wolf-bear creatures we encountered may prove to be very dangerous in the future. I had to warn them.”

“I was not worried about you,” Tarin said as she pulled the blankets closer to herself.

“I did not say you were,” Galdor smiled. “I wanted to apologize for disappearing so quickly.”

“Well, you are forgiven,” Tarin said. “Now, if you don’t mind, I was getting ready to sleep. We can discuss things further in the morning.”

“Of course,” Galdor bowed as he stepped out of the moonlight. “My apologies.”

§

As the sun began to filter in through the large green leaves, Enelya stood quietly over her and awakened Tarin.

“Good morning young Tarin,” Enelya said as Tarin stood from her makeshift bed. “Prepare your weapons, your training begins today.”

Tarin gathered the dagger and staff she received from her father as well as the short sword she had been trained in many years earlier. Enelya smiled as Tarin began strapping the weapons to her belt and across her shoulders.

“My dear,” Enelya said, reaching for the staff. “You will not need this.”

Enelya placed the ruby encrusted staff gently on the pile of pillows and blankets Tarin had slept on.

“You will not be training in the magical arts for a few weeks now,” Enelya explained.

“Magic?” Tarin exclaimed. “I get to learn magic?”

“Of course dear,” Enelya smiled, her black eyes shimmering a brilliant shade of green as the light from the sun wandered across her pale face. “The Elves are well known for their magical skills, and this staff of yours was given to your father by me. However, I don’t have time to fully explain right now. Are you ready?”

Tarin nodded in confusion and began walking toward the edge of the platform, where a ladder was rolled and waiting for use. Tarin knelt and pushed the ladder towards the edge as Enelya looked on patiently. Tarin stood, and stepped toward the ladder. As she did so, Enelya clapped her hands together twice, and Tarin turned to see what was happening.

When Tarin turned in the direction Enelya stood, she found a large boulder instead. Tarin looked around and found she was standing in a large field. Trees surrounded her in all directions, and a stream bubbled by a few steps ahead of her. The long grass blew silently in the breeze. Tarin stepped forward to look into the stream, where she found several brilliant orange coloured fish swimming by. Tarin looked around the field once more.

How did I get here? Tarin thought to herself. Tarin heard a quiet rustle from behind her, and quickly turned in the direction it came from. There was nothing to be seen, but Tarin reached for her sword and dagger anyway.

As Tarin began to draw her sword from the sheath a growl broke out from the long grass ahead of her. A large cat-like creature leaped out from its hiding place towards her. Tarin swung her sword, catching the gold coloured animal across the chest, leaving it broken on the ground beside her. It’s blood seeped into the stream as Tarin looked upon the creature.

Another rustle was heard a few feet to her left, and Tarin wielded her sword as yet another cat came bounding out from the grass towards her. The cat charged directly at her, and Tarin did not have much time to react. Her dagger left her hand almost immediately as the creature jumped at her. The dagger met it’s mark, and yet another corpse fell to the ground. Tarin rushed over quickly and removed the dagger from the throat of the dead cat. She paused as she looked at the creature, and realized it was almost twice her size, and if she was not on her guard, could probably devour her in a single gulp with it’s three inch long incisors.

As Tarin stood there investigating her attacker, an unseen enemy approached silently from behind. Before Tarin had a chance to turn and defend herself, yet another of the mysterious creatures leapt from it’s hiding place and pounced strongly at her. Tarin fell hard to the ground as the creature’s claws dug into her shoulders. She kicked with all her might and tried rolling, but it was no use. The creature was much stronger than she anticipated. The pain from her shoulders quickly became unbearable and Tarin fainted from the pain.

§

Tarin awoke suddenly, and found herself back on one of the Elves hidden platforms. Enelya, Galdor and Taurnil stood above her, watching her as she struggled to get up. The pain in her shoulders was gone, and Tarin sat up with ease. A confused look passed over her face and Enelya smiled as Tarin looked around at her onlookers.

“What happened?” Tarin asked hastily. “Where was I? What were those things? How did I get back here?”

“Calm down,” Enelya said as she stepped forward and ran her hands through Tarin’s long brown hair.

“It was all an illusion,” Galdor smiled. “Did you not read the book your father gave you?”

“I did not have time,” Tarin admitted.

“It’s alright, dear,” Enelya comforted. “Taurnil will explain all you need to know about the training you will receive here.”

“You defeated two of them though,” Taurnil encouraged her. “Not many can say that for their first time in the other realm.”

Galdor and Enelya left the platform and left Taurnil and Tarin to discuss the training.

“The magic in this forest allows Enelya to open a second world,” Taurnil explained. “When you step into this other realm, you are treated as an enemy to all that reside there. There are many creatures that live there that do not live here, some that are far stronger than those that live here. Through many centuries of study, Enelya has found that the creatures do not actually die, and that this realm is not real. It now serves as a training ground for many great Elvish warriors. You will continue your training there for a few weeks. Then we will begin teaching you some of the magical skills that you will need in the final battle.”

“Taurnil,” Tarin interrupted. “I do not know why I am here for training. What is going on?”

“You really didn’t read that book, did you?” Taurnil smiled. Before he continued, a grave look crossed his face. “Many years ago, a dark man was sentenced to live in the treacherous Realm of Diablion for treachery against the kingdoms of the old world, Recita. During his lifetime in Recita, the evil Treingtan tried to start a war in between all of the cities. Nim against Tarou. Caive against Jehi. Even we Elves in the Forest of Cartha were pitted against the men who lived in the cities. Everyone was on the verge of a massive world war, when Treingtan’s motives were discovered. With the war raging away from the cities, Treingtan would have every opportunity to move in with his many followers and conquer the cities. With no armies around to stop him, Treingtan would have succeeded, had it not been for the great Cadrahad. With only a few hundred men, Cadrahad encountered Treingtan on the road from Nim, and discovered his devilish plot. Cadrahad engaged in a short battle against Treingtan and his men, and proved the better. Treingtan surrendered, and Cadrahad sent messengers to the other armies, telling them of the treachery they had been blind to see. The war was called off, and the cities were saved. Treingtan was banished to the mountainous and dangerous Realm of Diablion, where he and his minions have survived for almost four hundred years. It is believed that Treingtan once drank the blood of a fallen Elf, which miraculously gave him eternal life. But some think it is the ever growing evil that keeps him alive. No one knows for sure, but Enelya can sense the ever growing danger, as his powers grow stronger. Treingtan is trying to escape his prison and conquer the world once again.”

“What does all this have to do with me?” Tarin asked patiently.

“You my dear are the direct descendant of Cadrahad, and the only one with the power to save this world.”

“That is impossible,” Tarin exasperated. “Why was Kaina not asked to come? Why am I left with the responsibility of defeating an evil being I have never heard of?”

“On the day of your birth, Enelya approached your father, and told him of the growing danger. As Enelya looked upon you, she saw a vision. She saw a young woman, with flowing brown hair standing atop a cliff, with an army of Men and Elves rallied behind her. Ahead of her lay the ruins of Diablion and all of Treingtan’s minions gathered for war. As Enelya watched, she saw that the young woman looked almost identical to Queen Moriria, who stood nearby resting. Before the end of the vision, the young woman looked directly at Enelya, revealing the most brilliant blue eyes to ever look upon her. As the vision ended, and Enelya looked upon you, just an infant, lying quietly in your crib, you looked upon her, your eyes, the same as those she had seen moments earlier. That is what is contained in the Tome of the Prophets that was given to you; prophecies from centuries ago, visions from the Elves, all depicting the identity of the warrior who would defeat Treingtan. All of which match you to a tee. You are the one they saw, the one who would defeat the evil that resides in Diablion.”

Tarin sat in disbelief. After sitting silent for several minutes, she stood, and walked out across the platforms to her sleeping area. She rustled through her belongings, until she found the Tome of the Prophets, and sat against the tree located in the center of the dais, and began reading.