Awakening (Telindell Book 1) (18 page)

“I understand,” said Lian, nodding slowly.  “You and Olbien.  If you fail, they come for you.”

Elintae nodded.  “Indeed they do.  I have performed both mine and Olbien’s task tirelessly in his absence.”

“To shape and guide life, in both the beginning and the end,” said Lian.  “What happened to Olbien?”

Elintae wiped the tears from her eyes while she turned to face Lian.  “He sought to face Dreathous.  He did not agree with passing the burden to your ancestor.”

Lian shook his head.  “Why?”

“It was his mistake,” she said.

Lian raised an eyebrow.  “His mistake?”

Elintae took a deep breath.  “I do not wish to speak of it.”

Lian nodded.  “I’m the only one that can defeat Dreathous, aren’t I?”

Elintae sighed.  “You are.  Know that within you, you wield the power and wrath of every creature that has been and ever will be.  The power of our entire world.  Learn to fully harness that power…”  Elintae smirked before speaking once again, “And you will be the most powerful being in existence.”

Lian shook his head.  “I have great power.”  He looked away for a moment.  “I can’t be that powerful.  It isn’t fathomable.”

“You have only scratched the surface of your power,” she said.  “It is why, even without using the power, you are stronger, faster, and more agile than any warrior Zaneen has to offer.”  Elintae held out her fist and clinched it tightly.  “You must learn to control and harness your power.”  She sighed.  “Do not be foolish like your ancestor.”

“How was he foolish?” said Lian.  “Didn’t he stop them?”

“Temporarily,” said Elintae.  “He was arrogant and eager for battle.  He rushed off right after the transformation.  He waited for no guidance, no training.  Shortly after, Olbien was lost.  Without him, I cannot recreate the connection of power.  Lianus was the world’s last hope.  He did drive the Dalronian legions back.  During his push, he met a woman.”  Elintae smiled at Lian.  “From her womb your bloodline spawned.  She traveled with the human and Elven armies.  She tended to the wounded.  When Lianus learned a child of his was to be born, he decided to end the war himself.”  Elintae turned and peered at the glistening stream.  “He fought a long and hard battle against Dreathous and his Generals.  He could have matched Dreathous in a one on one confrontation.  Against all four of them, he was overwhelmed and struggled to stay alive.”

Lian listened to the story of his ancestor intently.  “How did he send them from our world?”

Elintae took a deep breath.  “He abandoned the only warning we gave him.  He cast aside the sword.  He summoned the entirety of Zaneen.  Dreathous and his forces retreated.  Lianus’ power was overwhelming when untamed and unfocused.  He was able to force them through the gate, but it destroyed him.”

Lian shook his head.  “Can we send them back through gate once more?  How did they survive for a thousand years?”

“No,” she said.  “Dreathous destroyed the gate.  Time passes differently in their world.  They may have only been gone minutes or days.”

“Well,” said Lian before letting out a sigh.  “At least his bloodline continued.”

“Indeed,” she said, nodding.  “I immediately sealed the gate upon their retreat.  I then constructed the Telindell Mountains and hid the weapon.  I knew they would return, and I knew I would once again have to call upon a Telindell.”  Elintae turned to face Lian and glared at him.  “A reckless act will not buy us time now, only our doom.”

Lian lowered his arms and clinched his fists.  He glared back at Elintae while his lip quivered.  “You aren’t going to like what I’m about to do.”

Elintae squinted and shook her head.  “You rush to avenge your mother.”

“Yes, and I will have it,” he said.  “Whoever ordered the attack will die by my hand.”

Elintae sighed.  “Hate and anger fills your heart, Lian.  I understand.  I too wish vengeance for Olbien.”

Lian nodded.  “Your lover.”

Sorrow filled Elintae’s voice when she spoke, “Yes.”

Lian glared at the Goddess of Dusk.  He clinched his fists tightly.  “Help me avenge those I have lost.  Then together, we will avenge Olbien.”

The Goddess slowly nodded.  “Very well,” she said.  “Go to Riverwood.  Seek out green eyes and have them lead you to the place from which they first spilled blood.”

“That’s it?” he said, shaking his head.  “That is all the help you offer?”  Lian gritted his teeth, then shouted, “A riddle?”

Elintae nodded.  “That is all the help you need.  Kane will stay with you.  If he wishes it.”

Kane looked up to the Goddess and nodded before he stepped back to Lian’s side.

Elintae smiled slightly.  “He has grown quite fond of you.  I sense that he too wishes vengeance for Lyssa’s death.”

Lian looked to Kane and crossed his arms.  “How exactly do you know Kane?”

“He is a very old soul,” she said.  Elintae looked to Kane.  “He has guarded the Exodus gate since I created the Telindell Mountains.  When Dreathous killed my mortal manifestation in front of you, I summoned him to protect you at any cost.”

Lian looked to Kane.  “You’re a thousand years old?”  Lian then looked to Elintae.  “How?”

“It is not important,” she said.  “Just know that Kane can be killed, just as any creature can.  Protect him and he will protect you.”

Lian looked down to Kane and placed a hand on his head.  “I promise.  He is my oldest and most dear friend,” he said.

Elintae nodded and smiled.  “Before you set off to Riverwood, return to Elinar and deliver a message.”

“What message?” said Lian.

“Have him tell his father that I have returned,” she said.  And I will once again grace the halls of Alinshahar.”

Lian nodded as Elintae turned and approached the stream.  Elintae levitated above the water and turned to face Lian and Kane.  “Lian, I am truly happy to see you.  You will find happiness amidst the coming trials.”  Before Lian could say anything, she began to radiate with green light once again.  “Good luck, Telindell,” she said, her voice echoing through the forest.  The wind gusted once more and with a crack of thunder, green lightning shot into the sky from the stream.  Elintae was gone as quickly as she had come.

Lian looked to Kane.  “Well,” he said, letting out a sigh.  “Let’s go.”

Kane looked at Lian and nodded.

A short while later, Lian and Kane entered the outpost.  The orange glow of the approaching dawn could be seen in the distance.  Lian saw Elinar and the others standing next to a handful of horses.

Elinar looked to Lian and Kane.  “You’ve returned.”

Lian walked to Elinar and nodded.  “I must go to Riverwood.”

“Riverwood?” said Elinar, looking confused.  “Why Riverwood?”

“It doesn’t matter,” said Lian.  “I don’t even understand it myself.”

Elinar shook his head.  “Then why go?”

Teelia overheard the two conversing and quickly shouted, “Lian, don’t be foolish!”  She shook her head.  “They may be looking for you!  Please come with us!”

“I can’t,” said Lian.

“Ridiculous!” said Teelia.  “I won’t watch you go to your death!”

Elinar nodded.  “Teelia is right.”

Lian shook his head and looked to Elinar.  “I have a message for your father.”

Confusion showed in Elinar’s eyes again.  “My father?  What is it?”

Lian sighed.  “Elintae has returned.  She said to tell your father that she will once again grace the halls of Alinshahar.”

The confusion in Elinar’s eyes quickly turned to annoyance.  “Why now?”  Elinar shook his head.  “Is she the reason you must go to Riverwood?”

“She has her reasons,” he said.  “She is not why I must go… Those reasons are my own.  Elintae simply directed me there.”

Elinar took a deep breath while nodding his head.  “Alright.  I will deliver the message.”

Lian looked around at the covered corpses.  “How many?”

Elinar sighed and dropped his head.  “Too many.  Some burned alive in their homes.  Others died of their wounds.  Most of the horses were burned as well.  We managed to save a small number, though.”

Lian closed his eyes momentarily.  “I wish I could have stopped it.”

Elinar placed his hand on Lian’s shoulder.  “None of us could have, not even you.”

Teelia grabbed Lian’s hand.  Tears welled in her eyes.  “Lian, please.  A foolhardy quest of revenge won’t bring any of them or Lyssa back--” Teelia let out a sudden cry of pain.  She glanced up to Elinar.  “The baby,” she said, gasping for air.  “Soon!”

Elinar wrapped his arm around Teelia and held her up.  “Stay calm.  We leave momentarily.”

“To Alinshahar?” said Lian.

Elinar nodded.  “Yes.  We will meet my father’s men.  They were set to arrive today, and we will journey back and report on these developments.”

Lian sighed.  “I wish you a safe journey.”

“I wish you would join us,” said Elinar.  “In case you didn’t, I prepared a horse for you.”  Elinar grabbed the reigns of the black horse in front of him and handed them to Lian.

Lian looked the horse over and saw many provisions stuffed within the saddle bags.  “You should keep these.”

Elinar smiled.  “I insist.  We have more than enough to make it to Alinshahar.  If you reconsider, ride north from here for two days.  The Elves will find you.”

Lian smiled slightly and reached out his hand to Elinar.  “Thank you, my friend.”

Elinar grasped Lian’s hand.  “You are welcome, Lian.”  Elinar turned to his horse and grabbed a sword that was hanging from the saddle.  “This is yours.  When we found you all those years ago, the sword didn’t have a sheath.  I had one fashioned for you.”

Lian took the sword and looked at the new black sheath containing his weapon.  He removed Lyssa’s ribbon from his pocket and tied it tightly around the hilt of the sword.  Lian nodded to Elinar and mounted his horse.  He looked down to Kane.  “You ready, Kane?”  Kane nodded intently.  Lian kicked his horse and began to trot away.

Teelia sighed and shook her head before shouting, “Don’t get yourself killed!”

Lian turned his horse to face Teelia.  “You just worry about that pointy-eared baby.”  Lian looked to Elinar.  “Elinar?”

“Yes?” said Elinar.

“Tell your father,” Lian said, pausing.  The horse reared and neighed.  Then, Lian’s voice erupted like thunder, “I am Telindell!”

Thunder cracked while rain poured forth from the night sky.  Hooves trampled through the mud on the winding forest road toward Riverwood.  A black horse carried a cloaked Lian through the woods with Kane by his side.  Lian emerged from the edge of the forest to see a large field.  Across the field he saw a somewhat large town.  It was large to him, at least, certainly larger than the village he had lived in as a child and the Elven outpost.

Lian looked down to Kane.  “Must be Riverwood, don’t you think?”

Kane looked up and nodded.  “Will you be alright in the forest?” asked Lian.  “They may not take kindly to a wolf walking around their town.”  Kane looked away and then nodded.  “Sorry, boy.  I’ll be sure to bring you back something good to eat.”  Kane let out a happy yap.  “Alright, keep your ears open.  I’ll whistle if I need you.”

Kane nodded and looked toward Riverwood.  Lian kicked his horse and started trotting across the clearing toward the town.  Two guards wearing the Kynlynn armor were standing at the edge of town.  Lian slowed his horse as he approached them.  The guards held out their hands and motioned for him to stop.  Lian pulled the reigns on his horse and came to a stop beside the guards.

The guards looked suspiciously at the cloaked Lian.  One of them said a burly voice, “Aye, take yer hood off.”

“I’d rather not,” said Lian.  “It’s raining, if you hadn’t noticed.”

The guard snarled.  “Now, ye listen here,” he said.  “You want into Riverwood, you’ll take off that hood.  We be on high alert.”  The guard took a breath and shouted, “Orders from the queen herself!”

Lian sighed.  “Fine.”  He slowly pulled his hood back.

The guard looked him over.  “Interesting hair color ye got there boy,” he said, studying Lian.  “Whereabouts ye hail from?”

Lian looked down to the guard.  “Northern edge of Allendale.”

The guard snorted.  “That so?”

Lian nodded.

The guard slowly moved his hand toward his sword.  “Ye wouldn’t happen to know anything about a massacre of fifty Kynlynn soldiers around those whereabouts, would ye?”

Lian looked at the guard and slowly shook his head.  “Afraid not.”

The guard glared.  “See, Elves and a man with your hair color is said to be responsible.”

Lian eyed the guard gripping his sword.  “I’m no elf.  They don’t exist.”  Lian looked behind him.  “I came here alone.  Aren’t Kynlynn soldiers skilled warriors?”

The guard slowly drew his sword.  “We be.  Ye be challengin’ me, boy?”

“No,” said Lian while he smirked.  “If I were responsible for a massacre of fifty soldiers, and there are only two of you, would there be any need?”

The guard’s eyes widened.  “Aye, ye too scrawny,” he said.  “You couldn’t be the one.  Now let’s see ’em ears.”

“Why?” said Lian.

“To see if ye be an elf or not,” said the guard.  “What kinda backwoods village did ye crawl out of?  Now lift up yer hair!”

Lian shook his head and lifted up his drenched hair.  “Fine.”

The guard studied Lian’s ears.  “Aye, ye be human,” he said as he took note of Lian’s sword.  “That’s a nice lookin’ sword on yer back there, boy.  A little scrawny for me tastes but looks to be of excellent craftsmanship.”

“It matters not the size of the sword,” said Lian.  “But the warrior wielding it.”

The guard nodded his head.  “Aye, those be wise words.  Especially from a man as young as ye.”  The guard sheathed his sword.  “What ye be lookin’ for in Riverwood?

“A relative,” said Lian.  “My mother recently passed, I’m looking for my next of kin.”

The guard sighed.  “Aye, I understand.  If it were me, I’d start at the Wilted Rose.”

Lian raised an eyebrow.  “The Wilted Rose?”

The guard chuckled lightly.  “You really aren’t from around here, are ye?”  Lian looked at the guard remaining silent.  The guard sighed and said, “It’s the local inn, tavern, brothel, gamblin’ house.  Just about any vice ye can think of all rolled into one.  Even if ye don’t find who ye be lookin’ fer, you’re sure to have a good time.  Spend plenty of Lynns.  I always do, usually go through a whole weeks pay in one night, I do.”

Lian nodded.  “Hmm, interesting.”  Lian looked into town.  “Where is this Wilted Rose?”

“Aye, it be on t’other edge of town,” he said.  “Lit up like day time on the outside an a big hangin’ sign o’er the door.  It says ‘Wilted Rose’.  Ye won’t miss it.”

Lian nodded.  “Thanks.”

“One more thing,” said the guard.  Lian looked to the guard.  The guard smirked.  “No trouble.  Ye cause any bit o’ commotion, an I’ll have the whole garrison on ye.”

Lian nodded, he nudged his horse and trotted down the stone streets.  He watched the stone and wooden constructed buildings pass him by.  It was of a much more crude architecture than the Elven buildings he had seen in his time at the outpost.  Sure enough, he came upon a large building with all its windows brightly lit.

Lian observed the obvious sign of the establishment and a trough with a few horses tied off next to the door.  “I guess this is it,” he said to himself.  Lian dismounted his horse, led it to the trough, and tied it off.  “I hope to not be long, girl,” he said while he rubbed the horse’s muzzle.

Lian opened the door to the Wilted Rose.  He walked in slowly, looking around.  The sound of laughter and chatter filled the large room.  Townsfolk drinking away their troubles, playing dice, and gambling away what little they had.  Lian walked to the old wooden bar and took a seat.  The innkeeper, a portly, bald little man with an ample beard, turned to face him.

“Welcome to the Wilted Rose, we got Kynlynn’s fine--” The innkeeper’s speech broke off for a few moments.  “I don’t reckon I’ve seen ye in here before, boy.”

“I don’t reckon ye have,” said Lian mockingly.

The innkeeper glared and shouted, “Aye, ye ain’t gotta be no smartarse!”

Lian smirked a bit.  “My apologies.”

The innkeeper shook his head.  “As I was sayin’, we got Kynlynn’s finest ale, stout, anything ye heart desires.  Me wife’s a pretty good cook, too.  She’ll keep yer belly from grumblin’.”

Lian thought for a moment as he stared at the innkeeper.  “How much will this cost me?”

“Well,” he said.  “It depends on what ye get now doesn’t it?”

Lian sighed.  “I take it you accept Lynns?”

“O’course we do,” he said.  “Ye are in Kynlynn, after all.”

Lian shook his head.  “I don’t have any Lynns.”

The innkeeper studied Lian farther.  “Hmm,” he said.  “Ye must be a traveler, I’ll accept trades.  This time only.”

“I don’t really have anything to trade,” said Lian.

“Aye, we’ll find somethin’ to barter with,” said the innkeeper.  “What about that fancy lookin’ sword on yer back?”

Lian glared and shook his head.  “No.”

“Alright, alright,” he said.  “Don’t get yer acorns twisted.  That cloak of yours? That looks like some fine tailorin’.”

Lian paused for a moment.  He unbuttoned the cloak from around his neck and handed it to the innkeeper.

The innkeeper looked Lian over.  “Aye boy, what have you been eatin?  Ye ain’t too thick, but ye look stronger than a castle wall.”

Lian rolled his eyes.  “Does it matter?

“Guess some of us are just more blessed than others,” he said while inspecting the cloak.  “Aye, I’ll give you one hundred Lynns… credit of course.”

Lian raised an eyebrow.  “Credit?”

“Aye, credit,” said the innkeeper.  “Just as good as regular Lynns, but ye can only use’em here.  It’s how I ensure recouping my losses on a trade.”

Lian nodded.  “Fine.”

“Now, what can I get ye?” he said.  “Thirsty?  Hungry?”

“Just a… stout?” said Lian.  “Whatever you called it.”

The innkeeper gave a nod and smiled.  “Comin right up.”

Lian waited patiently.  He heard a woman shouting in the back of the inn, “Keep your hands off me!  You disgusting creep!”

Lian turned to two men towering over the woman, grabbing at her.

“My Lynns are just as good as his,” said a short, round man.  “Why don’t I get the same price?”

The woman pushed the man back.  “Because you’re fat, ugly, and smell like pig shit!”

The taller and more slender man grabbed the woman’s arm.  “Aye, you bitch!  That’s not a nice thing to say to me lil’ brother!”

Lian turned back to see the innkeeper with a mug of stout.  “What’s going on back there?”

The innkeeper laughed.  “Ahh… just a business disagreement.”

“Shouldn’t you stop that?” said Lian.  “They might hurt her.”

“Nah,” said the innkeeper.  “That lass may be barely a woman but she can take care of herself.”

“Is that so?” asked Lian as he stood and turned to face the three in disagreement.

“Aye, you better stay out of it,” said the innkeeper.  “I ain’t gonna be liable if you get yerself hurt!”

“Noted,” said Lian.

Lian approached the three.  He grabbed the shorter, fatter man’s shoulder and jerked him around.

“Aye!” said the man.  “What in the blazes--”

Before the man could finish his words Lian’s fist made contact with his face.  The man stumbled backwards.  Lian reached forth and grabbed the man’s head and smashed it into the wall.  The man crashed to the ground, blood covered and unconscious.  Lian immediately turned to see a fist flying toward his face.  The man’s brother was coming at him.  Lian simply raised his left hand and caught the man’s fist.  He quickly twisted the man’s arm, and the man screamed out in pain.  Lian swiftly thrust his other hand against the man’s twisted arm.  The sound of his bones shattering echoed through the Wilted Rose.  Lian released the man and allowed him to fall the ground.

The man gasped in horror at his arm.  Blood dripped from the bones protruding out of his skin.  He looked up to Lian. “You broke my arm, you bastard!”

Lian glared at the man.  “Take your good arm and drag that piece of trash out of here,” he said, pointing at his sword.  “Before I remove your good arm.”  The man nodded and quickly scrambled to his brother.  Lian grabbed the man’s shoulder.  “One more thing.”  The man looked at Lian with fear in his eyes.  Lian held out his hand.  “All of your Lynns, for the trouble of having to embarrass you.”

The man nodded and quickly pulled a small sack from his pocket, then a sack from his brother’s pocket.  “Take them, take them,” he said, his voice shaking.  “Just keep that sword sheathed.”

Lian smirked.  “If you insist.”  He then looked to the woman, who was watching in amazement.  “You alright?”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head.  The woman tilted her head and placed her hands on her hips.  “Other than that sack of Lynns you just cost me, I’m just peachy.”

Lian took a step back.  “I uh… I’m sorry.  I thought you were in trouble.”

“Well,” she said.  “It wasn’t the most pleasant situation… but I’ve seen worse.”

Lian studied the woman closely.  She had dark blonde hair.  Her clothes were a bit nicer than the rest of the patrons he had observed.  Her shirt was white and fit tightly, with a low cut to show off her cleavage.  Her pants were light brown and form-fitting.  Brown boots rose just past her ankles.  The most notable feature was her eyes.  They were green.

“What are you staring at?” she said.  “You want a good time?  At least help me make up for the Lynns you just cost me.”

Lian blinked his eyes and snapped out of his stare.  “Uh, your eyes,” he said.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.  May I ask your name?”

“Sarath,” she said.  “What about my eyes?”

Lian smiled slightly.  “They’re green.  And pretty.”

Sarath grinned.  “I don’t usually get such genuine compliments.”  Sarath relaxed, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms.  She studied Lian closely for a moment.  “Your name?”

“Lian,” he said.  “Lian Telindell.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Lian,” she said.  “Now, can I interest you in my wares?”

Lian titled his head.  “Your wares?”

Sarath grabbed her breasts. “These.”  Then, she pointed to her waist and raised an eyebrow, giving him a sly grin.  “And this.”  Lian looked at her chest, then to her waist.  He remained silent.  Sarath looked at the speechless Lian.  “Where are you from?  You obviously don’t get around.  I’m a lady of the night.  I sell…”  Sarath paused for a second, “company.”

Lian just looked at her, puzzled.

Sarath sighed and shook her head.  “Sex.  I sell sex.”

Lian’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped.  He stammered, “Oh, I, uh, I didn’t know.”  Lian took a moment to compose himself.  “But you are right.  I’m not from around here.”

Sarath giggled at Lian’s naiveté.  “Well, you are a breath of fresh air.  Come sit with me.”  Sarath smiled and leaned closer to Lian.  “It would be nice to talk with someone who doesn’t speak in that obnoxious Riverwood accent.”

Lian laughed a bit and nodded.  Sarath led him to a small wooden table in a back corner of the inn.  The two sat across from one another.