Awakening (Telindell Book 1) (9 page)

Lian stopped eating and looked up, realizing he had forgotten all about the sword. “The sword,” he said.  “Where is the sword?”

Elinar placed his hand on Lian’s shoulder.  “My lieutenant has it,” he said.  “The sword is safe.  I wrapped it in a blanket. Do you remember what happened before you lost consciousness?”

Lian looked at Elinar and shook his head.  “I don’t remember very much.  There was this monster, or maybe it was a man.  It followed us out of the pass.  Kane attacked him, but he just knocked Kane away with his staff.  He was about to use magic on him and kill him.”

Elinar raised an eyebrow. “Magic?” he asked.

Lian nodded.  “Yeah.  I don’t know what it is, really, but I saw them throw fire from their hands, so I guess that was magic.”

Elinar was slightly alarmed at Lian’s words.  “I see,” he said.  “Please continue.”

Lian nodded again.  “I remember being scared,” he said.  “Until I saw him raise his hand toward Kane.  Then I got mad.  I can’t explain it.  It’s fuzzy, I guess.  I just knew I had to stop him, and then I felt something.  I drew the sword…”  Lian paused and looked up to Elinar.  “Then, blood.  That’s all I remember.”

Elinar remained silent for a moment.  “I see,” he said finally.  “There is much to tell you, Lian…  But not now.  We must ride farther north.  Our post isn’t far.  We should arrive around sunset.”

Lian nodded and looked to Kane.  “Kane can come too, right?”

Elinar laughed.  “I don’t think he would have it any other way,” he said.  “I think he’d follow you to the ends of the world.”

Lian smiled and stood up.  “Thanks!”  He patted Kane’s head.  “You ready, boy?”  Kane nodded his head happily.

Elinar smiled, standing.  “Are you ready?”

Lian nodded.  “Whenever you are.”

Elinar smiled and motioned for the boy to come over to the horse, helping him to mount. 

He mounted the horse behind Lian and called to his riders, “Mount up,” said Elinar.  “We ride.”

The Riders quickly mounted their horses.

Elinar kicked his horse and stepped off into the shallow stream.  His riders swiftly followed.  They crossed the stream and set off once again into the forest.  Kane ran swiftly beside Elinar’s horse.  The forest grew thicker the farther they traveled and forced the riders to move single file behind Elinar.  The canopy was thick, allowing very little light to penetrate the tree tops.  Lian watched his surroundings while they traveled the forest.  It was an amazing sight for him, to finally see the wonders beyond the valley.  He was eager to leave behind the horrors that he had escaped.  In the distance, Lian could see a large doorway.  They drew closer to it.  He saw stone walls that were nearly overtaken by the vegetation of the forest.  The doors began to open inward, and the riders entered them one after another.  Lian’s eyes widened.  Inside, he saw wooden houses with green stained glass windows, far more elegantly constructed than anything he had ever seen.  Along the top of the walls, he saw vigilant elves.  Throughout the square, he saw many elven people. The women wore long, flowing dresses, and the men wore robes of a similar fashion.  He watched as elven children chased one another playfully.  Lian had never seen anything like this.  Elinar came to a halt, as did the riders behind him. 

Elinar turned to face his riders.  “Stable your horses and return to your families!”

The Riders rode deeper into the outpost.  Elinar dismounted his horse while Lian jumped off right behind him.  Kane brushed his furry head against Lian’s leg.  Elinar’s Lieutenant approached them, leading her horse.  She had black hair and brown eyes.

The Lieutenant looked to Elinar.  “Any further orders for me, sir?” she asked.

“Yes actually,” said Elinar.  “But first I want to introduce you to Lian.”  He nodded to the boy.  “Lian, this is lieutenant Teelia Solanas.”

Lian smiled at Teelia.  “Pleased to meet you, Miss Solanas.”

Teelia smiled.  “So polite.  But that is not necessary.  You may call me Teelia.”

Lian smiled and nodded.  “Alright, Teelia.”

Teelia looked back to Elinar.  “Your orders, sir?”

Elinar nodded at Teelia.  “Fetch our other guest,” he said.  “I’m sure she will be delighted to meet young Lian.  Then, I want you to place the sword in our chamber.  That can wait until tomorrow.”

Teelia looked to Lian and smiled. “As you command, Sir.”

Teelia turned and began leading her horse away.  She looked back briefly and winked at Elinar.

Lian looked up to Elinar, puzzled. 
“I wonder who it is,”
he
thought.  He looked down to Kane, patting his head, then looked back to Elinar and finally asked, “Who is it?”

Elinar grinned.  “You will see in just a moment,” he said.  “You have witnessed a lot of awful things recently, I’m sure.  I think this will be a good turn of events.”

“Good?” Lian asked.

Before Elinar could reply, a feminine voice cried out.  Elinar grinned and pointed toward a nearby house.  Lian watched, still confused.  A woman was running toward him.  She wore a long flowing white elven dress with decorative designs of green vines sewn into it.  Her long brunette hair flowed down her back with blonde streaks in it that caught the remaining sunlight.  Lian watched the woman running toward him.  He didn’t know what to think.  The woman hit her knees in front of him and threw her arms around him.  She embraced him tightly with tears streaming down her face.

The woman pulled away, smiling at him through her tears. “You’ve grown so much!” she said in a joyful voice.

Lian stared at her eyes. They were the same color as his.  Lian’s eyes widened and tears welled up in them.

“You don’t know me,” said the woman, still smiling. “But my name is--”

Lian quickly interrupted, “Lyssa.  You’re my… You’re my…”

Lian couldn’t finish his words.  He grabbed the woman and squeezed her while tears streamed from his face.

Lyssa squeezed him tightly and buried her head in his shoulder.  “Yes,” she said.  “I’m your mother, Lian. And I’ve missed you so!”  Lyssa stood and looked at her son, appalled at his blood-stained clothes. “My son…” she said with a shudder, “what happened to you?”

Lian shook his head. “It was awful--”

Elinar quickly interrupted Lian.  “Lady Lyssa,” he said.  “All that I warned you of years ago has come to pass.” Elinar sighed deeply.  “You should be thanking this wolf.  He was protecting your son when we found him.”  Elinar closed his eyes momentarily.  “I really wish you would have told us about your son’s survival. We could have brought him here.”

Lyssa glared at Elinar. “Nonsense!  You took me captive after I left Lian!  How was I to know your intentions?  You knew everything about me and my child.”

Elinar shook his head.  “We knew because of your importance…” said Elinar without raising his voice.  “We risked our discovery to stop those who pursued you and your son.  After you lied to us about his survival we gave you refuge.  Now that he has survived, your child now bears a burden that no one should ever have the weight of!”

Lyssa shook her head at Elinar.  “What burden?” she demanded.  “Those things you’ve told me over the years are just stories!”

Elinar shook his head slowly but remained silent.

Lian looked to Elinar and his mother.  “What stories?”

Lyssa stared at Elinar. “Aren’t they?” she asked.  “Answer me!”

“I never reached the valley,” said Elinar.  “Your son had already fled.  Ask him what happened.”

Lyssa placed her hands on Lian’s shoulders and spoke urgently, “Son…” said Lyssa.  “What happened?”

Lian looked into Lyssa’s eyes for a long moment.  “Monsters…” he said finally.  “They killed everybody.” Lian dropped his head.  “They killed Elder Marrow in front of me… then Miss Eva…”  Lian wiped his eyes. “Then Bagra-Shuk, an ogre… he died protecting me… Kane sacrificed his entire pack to save me… and I thought we had escaped… Then that thing was about to kill Kane, but I saved him… I think.”

Lyssa shook her head. “How?  How did you save him?”

Lian smiled then.  “The sword,” he said.  “I got angry, and I drew the sword.  Something happened, then I woke up with Elinar.”

Lyssa’s eyes widened.  She dropped to the ground, sitting in shock.  “It is all true then…”  She looked to Elinar, then back to Lian.  “I’m so sorry my son… I’m so, so sorry.”

Elinar knelt down to a sobbing Lyssa.  “I’m sorry, I truly am,” he said.  “The burden that was meant for you has passed to your son, and I don’t know how much time we have.”  Elinar looked to Lian, then back to Lyssa.  “I must contact the collective council.  With any luck, they will recall us to Alinshahar.”

Lyssa looked at him.  “What are we supposed to do while you consult with your father?” she asked.  “If the stories are true they--”

Elinar interrupted, hoping to ease Lyssa’s mind, “They will have a very difficult time finding us.  Don’t forget, my father faced them over a thousand years ago.  His counsel will prove invaluable.”

Lyssa shook her head. “And if it’s not?”

Elinar smiled.  “Let me tend to that.  Now, you and Lian take the night.  Twelve years apart will require some catching up.  I will know our course of action by the morning.”

Lyssa stood and smiled slightly at Elinar.  She held out a hand to Lian. “Come son,” she said. “Let us go, then.”

Lyssa led Lian through the outpost to her house, a mansion in comparison to anything Lian had ever witnessed.  It had stone walls and floors covered with marble tiles with beautiful tapestries along the walls.

Lian was in shock at the beauty of the home. “You live here?” he asked.

“I do.  I hope you like it.  I really hope we can spend many nights together here.”  Lyssa smiled at him.

Lian smiled back.  “Of course I like it…” he said, briefly pausing.  “I’d like any home.”  Lian looked to his mother.  “I’ve never had one.”

Lyssa’s face grew troubled.  She knelt down to Lian.  “You’ve never had a home?”

Lian shook his head.  “No, I haven’t.”

Lyssa looked at Lian with confusion.  “What about Lana?” she asked.  “She was a close friend of mine!  She promised to take care of you!”

Lian dropped his head.  “I never knew Lana,” he said.  “The Elder told me she had been killed by wolves.  I’ve been on my own for as long as I can remember.”

Tears welled in Lyssa’s eyes.  “No one took care of you?  No one at all?”

Lian shook his head again.  “Miss Eva would take care of me sometimes,” he said.

Lyssa raised an eyebrow.  “Eva?”

Lian smiled.  “Yeah,” he said.  “She said she used to visit you in your bakery.  That she was the one who told you about the village, that you could come there if you needed to.”

Lyssa shook her head.  “I never knew anyone named Eva,” she said.  “Lana always visited me. She told me about the village in the valley.”

Lian reached behind his head and pulled the ribbon from his shaggy long hair.  He held it out to Lyssa.  “Eva gave me this yesterday for my birthday,” he said.  “She said it was yours, that she found it while looking for you.”

Lyssa took the ribbon and looked at it.  She knew it was hers, but she was still puzzled about this Eva. “It was mine,” she said.  “I want you to keep it.” Lyssa smiled.  “How old was Miss Eva?” she asked, thinking perhaps Lana had changed her name for some reason.

Lian shrugged.  “She was old,” he said.  “The oldest woman in the village.”

Lyssa smiled at Lian and hugged him tightly.  “I’ll take care of you now Lian,” she said.  “I promise.”

Lian smiled.  “I know you will,” he said.  “Kane can help too…” Lian paused before becoming alarmed.  “We left him outside!”

Lian and Lyssa heard scratching at the door and the sound of Kane whining.  Lian quickly ran over to the door and opened it. Kane ran inside.

Lyssa looked at the wolf.  “Elinar said this wolf protected you?”

Lian nodded.  “Yeah, he did.  His name is Kane!”

“Thank you Kane,” said Lyssa, “for watching after my little boy.”

Kane distinctively nodded at her and kneeled as if he were bowing to her. 

Lyssa raised an eyebrow at the wolf.  “You understood me?”  Kane nodded his head once again.  Lyssa smiled.  “You’re not an ordinary wolf, are you?”  Kane seemed to wink one of his eyes.  Lyssa giggled lightly and patted Kane’s head.  “Again, thank you!”  Lyssa looked to Lian and his blood-stained clothes.  “We must get you out of those clothes and get you cleaned up!”

Lian nodded.  “Yes, mother,” said Lian, testing the feeling of those new words on his tongue.

Night fell upon the outpost.  Now clean and wearing new clothes, Lian was ready to spend time with his mother.  Lyssa was sitting on her large bed, and she motioned for Lian to join her.  The boy approached the bed wearing a snug sleeveless black shirt and loose-fitting black silk pants.  He sat down next to his mother.  Kane jumped onto the bed with them and lay down next to Lian. 

Lyssa smiled at Lian.  “Now,” she said.  “Tell me everything I’ve missed these past twelve years.”

Lian nodded and began telling his story.  All the hurtful words and horrible treatment from the villagers.  The kind words and care that Eva had given him.  Finally, he ended with the story of Ebon and the events that led to Elinar finding him.

Lyssa hugged him tightly and whispered into his ear, “I’m so sorry Lian.  I should have let Elinar come for you.  I hope you can forgive me, my son.”

Lian held Lyssa tightly.  “It’s alright, mother.  A lot of bad things have happened, but out of all of it, I got you and Kane, so there is some good.”  Lian smiled at Lyssa.  “I think the good parts outweigh the bad.”

Lyssa smiled him.  “Yes, Lian” she said.  “I think so too!”

Lian looked at Lyssa and thought of Elinar’s words.  “What was Elinar talking about?” said Lian.

“What do you mean, Lian?” she asked.

Lian quickly spoke up, “You know, the burden he spoke of and those things that you said weren’t true.”

Lyssa looked upon her son with grief in her heart.  “Well, you’re a little old for bedtime stories,” said Lyssa.  “But since we have lost so much time together, I don’t think one will hurt.”  Lyssa pointed at the large pillow on the bed.  “Now, lie down. You can sleep in my bed tonight.”

Lian smiled.  “Alright.”  He lay back on the soft bed, having never felt anything quite like it in his short life.

Lyssa moved closer to him.  “Long ago, Lian, there was a great war,” she said, placing her hand on his.  “Invaders that became known as the Dalronians came to Zaneen from another world.”

Lian quickly rose up.  “Another world?”

Lyssa smiled.  “Yes, another world.  Now lie back down and listen.  Their world was much like Zaneen, but they consumed all of the magic in their world in a lust for power.  Magic twisted and changed their bodies, transforming them into monstrosities.  It left their world barren and desolate.  Their world could no longer sustain any kind of life, so they found a way to invade ours.”

Lian listened, intrigued.

Lyssa sighed before continuing.  “They were a force unlike anything Zaneen had ever seen before,” she said.  “Even the Gods themselves could not stand against them.”

Lian quickly spoke up, “Gods?  You mean Elintae and Olbien?”

Lyssa was shocked that Lian knew of the gods.  “Aren’t you smart,” she said proudly.  “Yes, Elintae and Olbien.  Elintae was the Goddess of Dusk.  She guided our souls when we passed from our life.  Olbien was the God of Dawn, he made sure that life always continued and was guided so that it would always flourish.”

“What happened to them?” Lian asked, rising up again.

“No one knows,” said Lyssa.  “Before we come to that part, let me continue with the story.”

Lian lay back and yawned.  “Alright,” he said.

Lyssa smiled and continued her tale.  “The Elves united with the kingdoms of man,” said Lyssa.  “Back then, the Elven Kingdom expanded across the entirety of Northern Zaneen.  They had the largest and most powerful armies.  Mages and sorceresses numbered in the hundreds of thousands among elves.  Humans had magic wielders as well, but not the numbers of the Elves.”

Lian looked at Lyssa with curiosity. “What are mages,” he asked, “and sorceresses?”

“They are men and women,” said Lyssa.  “Those who have studied the art of magic and wield great power.”

Lian smiled with excitement.  “I’ve seen some magic,” he said.

Horror plagued Lyssa’s mind, knowing that he had witnessed such frightening power that she had only believed to be a bedtime story.  “Then you know how powerful it is,” she said.  “The Gods led the Elves and the humans against the Dalronians.  They were immensely powerful, but they could barely slow the fierce foes down.  After losing several battles and countless soldiers, the Gods devised a plan.  They searched Zaneen for the most talented and skilled warrior.  They found Lianus Telindell.  He was our ancestor.”

Lian rose up quickly.  “Our ancestor?”

“Yes.  Now listen to the rest.  This part is very important.”  Lyssa smiled at an eager Lian.  “They said that the Gods touched his very body and soul, forever changing him.  They then forged a weapon for him.  A sword, tempered with his own blood.  When Lianus wielded the sword, he could harness the power of the entire world.  His strength and speed were unmatched by anyone within the Dalronians’ ranks.  By the time Lianus entered the war, the elves and humans alike were near extinction.  He led the remnants of the Elven and Human forces against them and drove them all the way back to the Eternal Sea from which they had come.”

Lian smiled at the tale of his heroic ancestor.  “What happened then?”

Lyssa took a deep breath and continued, “Lianus went up against the Leader of the Dalronians in one on one combat,” she said, Lyssa looking away from Lian momentarily.  “Their Leader was far more powerful than any other Dalronian.  It seemed Lianus had met his match.  Something happened during their battle.  Golden light erupted from his body and blinded all those around them.  When the light faded, both Lianus and the Dalronians were gone.  The only thing that remained was his sword.”  A single tear dropped from Lyssa’s cheek.

“Wow,” said Lian.  “He was my ancestor!  That’s amazing!  My name even sounds like his.”

Lyssa smiled. “Yes, it is,” she said.  “Almost unbelievable.”

Lian looked to his mother, sleep beginning to pull at his eyes.  “What happened to the Gods?” he asked.

“After Lianus drove the Dalronians from Zaneen, they vanished,” Lyssa answered quickly.  “No one has seen heard from either of them since.” Lyssa placed her hand on Lian’s head once more.  “There are legends that Elintae herself raised the Telindell Mountains to guard Zaneen against the Dalronians should they ever return.  They would also serve as a resting place for Lianus’ sword.”

Lian remained quiet for a moment, then spoke, “Is that the sword that I found?”

Lyssa nodded.  “Yes, I believe it is.”

Lian looked at Lyssa.  “What…” said Lian, pausing.  “Does that mean?”

Tears escaped from Lyssa’s eyes.  “The touch of the gods did not just change Lianus.  Everyone who has descended from his bloodline was changed,” said Lyssa.  “His blood courses through our veins.  Only someone of his descent can wield the sword, and we are the only two survivors of his bloodline.  That is why you were able to use it.  It is yours now.  You will now have to--” Lyssa burst into tears at the thought of her son having to fight those monsters.

Lian rose up again.  “I’ll have to fight them,” he said.

Lyssa sobbed and hugged him.  “I don’t know,” she said.  “I just don’t know.”

Lian held Lyssa tightly.  “If I do…I’ll beat them.  For good.  I promise.”

Lyssa smiled and squeezed Lian tighter.  “I couldn’t ask for a stronger or braver son,” she said proudly.  “I’m so proud of you.”  Lyssa lay down next to Lian and held him closely. “Now, go to sleep. You’ve had a long day, and I suspect tomorrow will be just as long.”

Lian yawned.  “Alright,” he said.  “Goodnight mother.”

Lyssa smiled and kissed Lian’s cheek. “Goodnight Lian.”

She continued to lie there, just holding Lian.  Minutes turned into hours.  She looked at Kane, who was curled up at the foot of the bed.  Then, she gently pushed Lian away, so as not to disturb him.  She stood and walked toward the door of her house.

Lyssa turned and looked to Kane, whispering, “Kane!  Kane!”  Kane slowly opened his eyes and raised his head.  “Come here. Come outside with me.”

Kane looked to Lian and slowly crawled off the bed.  Lyssa quietly opened the door, allowing Kane to exit the house.  She walked out beside him and slowly shut the door.  Lyssa sat on the ground and rested her back against the stone wall of her house.  She looked around.  The outpost was quiet and void of movement except for the few guards she could see walking along the ramparts.  Kane sat next to her.

Lyssa looked into Kane’s green eyes.  “You were sent to him, weren’t you?” said Lyssa.  Kane nodded his head.  Lyssa sighed. “It’s all true then, isn’t it?”  Kane nodded again and dropped his head.  Lyssa looked away.  “Did he really save you?”

Kane looked at her intently.  He stepped closer to Lyssa, his nose almost touching hers.  He peered into her eyes while his began to glow a light green.  Lyssa saw the images of Lian and Kane’s attacker at the exit of Shana’s Pass in them.  She saw Lian change and slay the Battle Sage with ease.  Lyssa gasped at the images, losing her breath.  She quickly scooted away from Kane.  Kane sat down and whined a bit at her fright.  He held his paw out toward her.

Lyssa hesitantly took his paw.  “What are you?” she asked.  Kane tilted his head at her.  Lyssa’s voice took on a stern tone.  “Promise me, Kane, promise me, that no matter what, you will stay at Lian’s side through the horrors he must face!”

Kane took his paw back, stepped closer and licked her face.  He then laid his head in her lap, giving her a sense of comfort.  Lyssa and Kane sat together until the light could be seen piercing the night sky in the distance.

Lyssa looked down at Kane.  “Come, Kane. Let’s go back inside,” she said.  “Thank you for sitting with me.”

Kane followed Lyssa back into the house, jumping back on the bed with Lian and lying down to keep an eye on the boy.  Lyssa sat next to him and watched her son.  Her son that she had longed for every day for twelve long years.  Now, she was terrified that she would lose him once more.  He was just a boy, a boy supposed to save them all.

The sun rose over the outpost.  Elinar paced back and forth through his chamber.  He was already dressed and wearing his tight fitting leather armor.  He eyed a bowl of water in the center of the room sitting upon a porcelain pillar.